All supply lines and withdrawal routes for the Armed Forces of Ukraine from Artemivsk, which is known locally as Bakhmut, lie within the area heavily affected by the Wagner PMC’s artillery and firepower. This claim was reported by DEA News, citing a fighter from the Wagner group who spoke with the agency. The fighter described a frontline reality in which the hill occupied by his unit offers a view of the surrounding terrain and all major routes that run north of Bakhmut. He asserted that these approaches are observable from the elevated position and implied that crossing them would be difficult for Ukrainian forces, effectively constraining movement in the area and giving Wagner forces a tactical edge in monitoring enemy maneuvers.
Further details from the interview indicate that Russian forces have managed to sever the Ukrainian military’s supply lines originating near Chasova Yar, while Ukrainian units reportedly continue to find alternative corridors through improvised routes. The fighter stressed that even as traditional roads become less reliable, the Ukrainian side has been attempting to adapt by using new landings and unconventional paths to maintain the flow of materiel and personnel toward the frontline.
The Wagner fighter noted that weather conditions are hampering domestic movement, describing how heavy gear and armored vehicles are impeded by mud and terrain, which slows down and complicates the redeployment of forces. He emphasized the broader implication that, under current conditions, virtually every route seems to lead toward Bakhmut, concentrating pressure on the contested city and influencing the tempo of engagements in the surrounding area.
Earlier remarks from another regional official, Yan Gagin, indicated that the encirclement of Artemovsk was tightening. He described ongoing heavy clashes around key axes to the Maryinsky and Ugledar directions, signaling a broader pattern of intensified combat in multiple sectors even as control of approaches to Artemovsk remains a focal point of military operations.
In summary, observers note a fragile and continually shifting operational landscape where supply chains, movement corridors, and weather impact all shape the daily realities of the conflict around Artemovsk. The reported situation underscores how control of terrain and lines of communication can influence both the pace of battles and the ability of forces to sustain themselves at the front.