Stand behind Ukrainian independent journalism when it’s needed most. Help us reach 20,000 members.

Skip to content
Edit post

UK Defense Ministry: Ukrainian forces regain at least 1 kilometer of territory near Bakhmut

by The Kyiv Independent news desk May 13, 2023 9:49 AM 2 min read
This audio is created with AI assistance

Elements of Russia’s 72nd Separate Motor Rifle Brigade likely withdrew "in bad order" from their positions on the southern flank of Bakhmut over the last four days, the U.K. Defense Ministry reported on May 13.

The regained area was a Russian bridgehead on the western side of the Donets-Donbas Canal, which marks the front line through parts of the sector and has some tactical significance, according to the report.

The 72nd Separate Motor Rifle Brigade is part of Russia’s 3rd Army Corps, dogged with allegations of poor morale and limited combat effectiveness, the ministry said.

Its deployment highlighted Russia’s severe shortage of credible combat units.

Ukraine's Defense Ministry said earlier on May 12 that Ukrainian forces had advanced two kilometers toward Bakhmut "without losing a single position" this week.

Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar also claimed that Russian forces had suffered heavy losses as they defended their positions in Bakhmut, which she believes still holds a significant value for them.

Eastern Operational Command spokesman Serhiy Cherevaty also reported a successful operation in the Bakhmut area recently, saying on television that Ukraine has conducted counterattacks and there are signs of exhaustion among the Russian forces on the battlefield.

Cherevaty said the counterattacks pushed back Russian forces between 250 meters to 1.5 kilometers, naming a smaller estimate than the Defense Ministry.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a D.C.-based think-tank analyzing the war in Ukraine, said in its May 11 report that Ukraine had made localized advances in the Bakhmut area, where heavy fighting has raged since last summer.

"​​Ukrainian forces likely broke through some Russian lines in localized counteroffensives near Bakhmut, prompting responses from Wagner Group financier Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Russian Ministry of Defense," the ISW said.

The think-tank added that Russia's deployment of "low-quality" personnel on the flanks around Bakhmut suggests that the Russian Defense Ministry has "largely abandoned the aim of encircling a significant number of Ukrainian forces there."

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine makes localized advances near Bakhmut
Key developments on May 12: * Ukraine’s Defense Ministry: Ukraine advances 2 kilometers toward Bakhmut * Military: Signs of exhaustion evident among Russian forces on battlefield * 24th Separate Assault Battalion says it recaptured Russian positions southwest of Bakhmut * Wagner chief attacks R…

Independent journalism needs a community —
not a paywall.

We’re working hard to show the world the truth of Russia’s brutal war — and we’re keeping it free for everyone, because reliable information should be available to all.

Our goal: reach 20,000 members to prove independent journalism can survive without paywalls, billionaires, or compromise. Will you help us do it?

Can we reach 20,000 members?

News Feed

11:51 PM

Trump 'very surprised, disappointed' at Russian attacks on Ukraine amid peace talks.

"I've gotten to see things I was very surprised at. Rockets being shot into cities like Kyiv during a negotiation that was maybe very close to ending," Trump said during a news conference in the Oval Office. "All of a sudden rockets got shot into a couple of cities and people died. I saw thing I was surprised at and I don't like being surprised, so I'm very disappointed in that way."
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.