Ukraine’s Advances Near Bakhmut Expose Rifts in Russian Forces
"As Putin Bides His Time, Ukraine Faces a Ticking Clock "Ukraine Evacuating 'Post-Apocalyptic' Frontline Near Bakhmut: Official "Putin Has A Problem: The Russian Military Is Getting Slaughtered In Ukraine"""
Russia’s pro-war bloggers were quick to claim that Ukraine’s long-anticipated counteroffensive had begun, but Ukrainian officials downplayed the advances.
Ukrainian servicemen near Bakhmut on Friday. Tens of thousands of soldiers are believed to have died in the battle for the city in eastern Ukraine, making it a symbolic objective for Ukraine and Russia. Sofiia Gatilova/Reuters
By Marc Santora and Andrew E. Kramer Marc Santora reported from outside Chasiv Yar, near Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, and Andrew Kramer from the capital, Kyiv.
May 12, 2023Updated 8:08 p.m. ET
The Ukrainian Army is advancing in attacks near the eastern city of Bakhmut, Ukrainian commanders said on Friday, in fighting that has shifted the front line only slightly but is exposing fissures, confusion and alarm among Russia’s forces in the war.
Russia’s pro-war bloggers were quick to claim that Ukraine’s long-anticipated counteroffensive had begun, but Ukrainian officials downplayed the advances and described them in more local terms. Ukrainian soldiers broke through Russian lines south of Bakhmut on Wednesday, they said, and then exploited that breach, assaulting Russian forces near the city and threatening Russian flanks to the north and south. A video .. https://t.me/channel24_ua/88001 .. that appears to have been posted first by the Ukrainian news outlet Channel 24, which said it was provided by Ukraine’s 77th Airmobile Brigade, showed parts of northern Bakhmut on fire on Friday evening.