Skip to content
Edit post

UK Defense Ministry: Russia likely diverting resources away from Donetsk sector to Bakhmut

by The Kyiv Independent news desk April 18, 2023 12:05 PM 2 min read
A Ukrainian Army self-propelled 122 mm howlitzer fires on a Russian position on Feb. 18, 2023, near Bakhmut in eastern Donetsk Oblast. (Getty Images)
This audio is created with AI assistance

There is a "realistic possibility" Russia has diverted troop resources around Donetsk city toward Bakhmut, the U.K. Defense Ministry wrote in its April 18 intelligence update.

Russian forces are continuing to make "creeping advances" in Bakhmut, according to the ministry.

Ukraine is holding Russian forces back in the south of Bakhmut by maintaining control along Korsunskovo Street, the main road leading west out of the town.

Hell in high definition: Inside front-line aerial unit surveilling battle of Bakhmut
Editor’s Note: The Ukrainian soldiers featured in this article are identified by first names and callsigns to protect their identities. BAKHMUT, Donetsk Oblast – On the screen of a large handheld remote control, a Ukrainian drone operator scans a gray, washed-out landscape of ruined houses and mudd…

The ministry also noted that the specific order and timing of any major withdrawal of Ukrainian and Russian military units is becoming an important logistical issue.

Ukraine likely aims to redirect some of its military units deployed in Bakhmut for the planned counteroffensive, while Russia seeks to rebuild its operational reserves before redeploying them.

The battle of Bakhmut has been raging for the past nine months with the Russian military attempting to increase its grip over the entirety of the oblast, around half of which it currently occupies. Both sides have sustained heavy casualties.

As of mid-April, Ukrainian forces continue to hold parts of the city, west of the railway line, while Russian forces led by the Wagner Group have taken the administrative center.

This Week in Ukraine Ep. 1 – Why does Ukraine keep up costly defense of Bakhmut?
“This Week in Ukraine” is a video podcast hosted by Kyiv Independent’s reporter Anastasiia Lapatina. Every week, Anastasiia sits down with her newsroom colleagues to discuss Ukraine’s most pressing issues. Episode #1 is dedicated to Ukraine’s military strategy in Bakhmut, an embattled city in Donet…

News Feed

11:49 AM  (Updated: )

Updated: Russian officials cautiously cheer on Trump's victory.

"Trump has one quality that is useful to us: as a businessman to the core, he hates spending money on freeloaders, on idiotic allies, charity projects, and greedy international organizations," former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.