News Feed

Defense Ministry: Ukraine's military regains 20 square kilometers near Bakhmut

1 min read

In the past several days, Ukrainian forces have recaptured about 20 square kilometers in the northern and southern outskirts of Bakhmut, Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said on May 16.

Meanwhile, in Bakhmut itself, Russian troops have "somewhat" advanced, moving units of "professional paratroopers" into the city, the official reported on Telegram.

"Heavy battles are going on with different results," she added.

Two days before, Maliar said Ukrainian soldiers had retaken more than 10 Russian-held positions north and south of the key eastern city.

On May 15, Serhii Cherevatyi, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian military's Eastern Operational Command, said that Ukraine's Armed Forces had advanced on the flanks around Bakhmut from 350 meters to 2 kilometers "in some places" over the previous two days.

Russia's recent failures around Bakhmut are likely connected with the escalating feud between the Russian defense ministry and Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner mercenary group, which has led the assault on Bakhmut for months.

While Wagner leads the attacks inside the city, the flanks where Ukrainian forces have advanced are manned by regular army units.

The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed a renewed wave of Ukrainian counterattacks on May 14 and admitted that two colonels – including a brigade commander – were recently killed in the Battle of Bakhmut.

When dying ‘stops being scary’: Worn out Ukrainian soldiers in Donbas hold off Russian assaults
Editor’s Note: This story is based on interviews with Ukrainian soldiers, conducted in Donetsk Oblast, near the eastern front line, in late March. Some of the soldiers declined to give their last names for security reasons, and are identified by first names and callsigns instead. DONETSK OBLAST – U…
Article image
Video thumbnail
Watch also our video on the growth of Russian 'PMCs'
Avatar
The Kyiv Independent news desk

We are the news team of the Kyiv Independent. We are here to make sure our readers get quick, essential updates about the events in Ukraine. Feel free to contact us via email with feedback and news alerts.

Read more
News Feed
Video

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, war has become a daily reality for thousands of Ukrainian children. Some Ukrainian military units, such as the Azov Brigade, offer boot camps for teenagers to teach them the basics of self-defense, first aid, dry firing, and other survival skills — helping them prepare for both the realities of today and the uncertainties of the future.

Show More