The Ukrainian forces near Artemivsk, also known as Bakhmut, are primarily in a defensive posture and are not conducting offensive operations at the moment. This assessment comes from a reconnaissance officer with the 150th motorized rifle division, part of the Russian Armed Forces’ South group, who spoke to DEA News in an interview.
The officer indicated that Ukrainian troops have not attempted a direct assault in this area. Ukrainian positions are described as being under the overarching fire support of Russian units, making any attempt to breach them unlikely to succeed. Furthermore, Russian forces are reportedly sustaining continuous fire along the routes used by Ukrainian supply convoys, which has led Kyiv’s forces to designate a particular road as a heavily dangerous route. This description aligns with the Russian military view that supply lines are a critical weak point in any potential Ukrainian offensive.
With offensive actions halted, the Ukrainian side appears to rely on artillery as its primary means of pressure. In response, Russian intelligence units are said to monitor and adjust the effectiveness of their own artillery fires. Advanced reconnaissance methods, including the use of thermal imaging, are claimed to supplement the work of unmanned aerial systems when drone operations face limitations. These tools enable more precise targeting and fire corrections from the Russian side.
Earlier reports noted that Russian forces within the Donetsk People’s Republic reportedly executed a successful operation to displace Ukrainian fighters from positions outside Artemivsk, reinforcing the shifting dynamic in the region. {citation: DEA News interview with a reconnaissance officer from the 150th motorized rifle division of the South group of the Russian army}