ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGE: Destroyed military equipment of Kiev’s forces
Russian forces are developing the operation to liberate the town of Bahmut (old name – Artyomovsk) in the Donetsk People’s Republic. Following the retreat of the Kiev regime from Soledar, Bahmut remains the key strong point of pro-Kiev units in this sector of the frontline.
As of the morning of February 18, Russian troops liberated the town of Paraskievka around Bahmut and advanced on the town of Zalizyanskoe near the village of Krasnaya Gora (around Soledar). With these advances, the Russians have de-facto outflanked pro-Kiev troops in Bahmut from 3 directions: east, north and south.
At the same time, the Kiev regime does not seem to be giving up on attempts to keep control over Bahmut. Reports of the recent days claimed that pro-Kiev units carried out a series of attempts to counter-attack on positions of the advancing Russian forces in this area. Unconfirmed reports claim that both sides suffered notable casualties in these clashes.
The interesting fact is that the counter-attacks of the Kiev regime came amid speculations on the lack of ammunition among Russian units (mostly linked with PMC Wagner) stationed in this area. The situation surrounding these reports remains unclear.
In any case, the tactical situation in which Kiev’s forces are in Bahmut is rapidly deteriorating. If nothing changes, MSM reports will soon say that Bahmut is just another ‘not strategic village accidentally taken by Russian forces’.
