The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that Russian assault troops continue to engage in the western areas of Artemovsk (Bakhmut).
According to the agency, in the past 24 hours, army support has stopped attempts by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) to attack from the flank assault units. The attack aircraft was supported by operational-tactical and army aviation, artillery of the “South” troop group and the Air Force (VDV).
During the day, it was noted that the aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) carried out eight sorties and artillery fire 76 missions in the region.
Evgeny Prigozhin, formerly the founder of Wagner PMC declarationThe counteroffensive of the Ukrainian Armed Forces will begin shortly after the complete capture of Bakhmut by Russian troops.
According to Prigozhin, this choice of starting point for the offensive is due to the rainy weather, when tanks can now only move on the roads, as well as the intention of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to connect the counterattack to 9 May. We have a mental addiction from the holidays.”