The blasted ruins of Bakhmut, described by both sides as a ‘meat grinder,’ would be Moscow’s only prize for its huge winter offensive
Ukraine’s military and Russia’s paramilitary Wagner group both reported further Russian retreats around the city of Bakhmut on Thursday, as Kyiv presses on ahead of a planned counteroffensive.
Near the front line, Ukrainian troops said Russia was bombarding access roads to slow their assault, which has shifted the momentum after months of slow Russian gains in Europe’s deadliest ground combat since World War Two.
“Despite the fact that our units do not have an advantage in equipment and personnel, they have continued to advance on the flanks, and covered a distance of [ over 1 mile),” said Ukrainian military spokesperson Serhiy Cherevatyi, Reuters reported.
Ukraine’s gains have been accompanied by a deepening public split within Russia’s forces between Wagner – which has led the Bakhmut campaign – and the regular Russian military.
