Vasily Dandykin, a military analyst, described the situation in Artemovsk, a city also known as Bakhmut, as a drawn-out episode that is nearing its end. In statements given to a daily publication, he noted that Ukrainian forces earlier attempted to shift reserves from Chasov Yar, but those units now face heavy bombardment, complicating the supply lines for Ukraine’s armed forces.
According to Dandykin, the fighting in Artemovsk is likely to persist. He warned that the Russian military could find the coming days challenging because Ukrainian artillery in that zone has been remarkably precise, with assessments supported by foreign expert analysis about its accuracy.
Despite the ongoing operations, Dandykin expressed confidence that the lengthy campaign involving thousands of combatants, including seasoned fighters, may soon draw to a close. His assessment reflects a broader expectation that the momentum of the battles will shift as supply dynamics and battlefield conditions evolve.
On the preceding day, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of a private military company, claimed that Russian forces had established control over Artemovsk. He stated that the enemy still held ground in the western portions of the city, which has been a focal point of the contest for control and lines of defense.
Earlier, Douglas McGregor, a former adviser to the top civilian official overseeing national security policy, said that Ukrainian personnel in Artemovsk faced a risk of retreat due to limited logistical support. The assessment underscored concerns about the sustainability of Ukrainian operations in the area under sustained pressure.
Prior developments had shown that Prigozhin viewed the Ukrainian units as presenting formidable resistance, with significant losses recorded in Artemovsk. Nonetheless, he described the Ukrainians as not rushing to abandon the battlefield, signaling a continued willingness to resist under challenging conditions and to attempt a stubborn defense while awaiting shifts in the strategic landscape.