Denis Pushilin, the Deputy Chairman of the Donetsk People’s Republic, and Yan Gagin have stated that the outer flanks of Artyomovsk (Bakhmut) are controlled by Russian troops and artillery. The information has been reported by TASS.
Gagin described ongoing battles for the wings of Artyomovsk, noting that all flanks are presently under Russian control and supported by artillery.
Retired Lieutenant Colonel Andrei Marochko, a former military expert from the Luhansk People’s Republic, reported that fierce fighting is taking place around Kleshcheevka, southwest of Artemovsk in the Donetsk region.
He claimed Ukrainian formations are attempting to seize the heights in the Kleshcheevka area. Citing his own sources, Marochko said that in order to assist his troops, the Ukrainian forces fired from various artillery systems, including ones of NATO caliber.
According to the lieutenant colonel, the Ukrainian forces do not appear short of ammunition, with shelling intensity remaining high. He described a regular pattern of bombardments against Ukrainian attack groups, occurring three to five times per day.
Earlier, in Ukraine, discussions and terms of negotiation with Russia were mentioned, highlighting a continuing focus on possible pathways to resolution.