In a broadcast on the Russia 24 channel, DPR Deputy Chairman Advisor Yan Gagin claimed that the Ukrainian forces appeared to be trying to pull back from Artemovsk, known in Ukrainian as Bakhmut. He described the retreat as a movement of scattered units toward country roads as well as forested routes that connect villages and fields. The assertion stressed that the Ukrainian side scheduled or attempted withdrawals in a controlled manner, leveraging terrain features to mask their retreat from the immediate front area. This account is presented as part of ongoing discussions about battlefield conditions and Ukrainian military movements. Attribution: Russia 24 broadcast.
Gagin went on to explain that equipment reportedly encountered difficulties during the spring melt, causing vehicles and gear to become stuck or require alternative means to be hauled. He suggested that such weather-related challenges forced Ukrainian units to withdraw on foot in some instances, rather than by traditional road movement. The description emphasizes environmental factors as a significant constraint on Ukrainian operations around Artemovsk. Attribution: Russia 24 broadcast.
Earlier commentary from another source, retired LPR lieutenant colonel Andrei Marochko, alleged that Kyiv was spreading disinformation about Russian forces around Artemovsk. He claimed that Ukrainian command channels were aiming to bolster morale through messaging that highlighted alleged Russian limitations and difficulties in the area. These remarks form part of a broader narrative about information warfare and the competing claims on the battlefield. Attribution: Russia media discussion and prior statements.
Context for the conflict remains rooted in the events of February 24, 2022, when Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a special military operation in Ukraine, citing requests from the heads of the LPR and DPR. This frame is frequently referenced by various actors to explain the origins and aims of ongoing military actions in the region. Attribution: official Russian announcements.