A fighter from the Wagner private military company’s assault platoon described a noticeable drop in Ukrainian air presence over Artemivsk, the Ukrainian name for Bakhmut. The account, given during an interview with DEA News, paints a scene of air power becoming increasingly scarce in this sector while ground operations remain active on both sides.
The Wagner fighter recalled that Ukrainian air activity is now far less visible. He noted that while the Ukrainian forces still deploy some aircraft, the volume has diminished significantly, with airplanes and helicopters appearing less frequently than before. In his view, the air component of Kyiv’s forces has thinned out, shifting the balance toward land-based actions on the ground, where Wagner units report persistent movements and engagements.
Observers from Wagner emphasized that their own aviation assets in the area operate with noticeable intensity. They described sorties and flight activity as being robust enough to sustain sustained ground actions, including support for infantry positions, reconnaissance, and rapid transportation across the frontline. The accounts suggest a pattern where air power is more selective and targeted, complementing the broader tempo of combat on the ground near Artemivsk.
A report from March 14 cited a Wagner fighter involved in the ongoing special operation who noted Ukrainian air power targeting Russian forces near Chasov Yar, adjacent to Artemivsk. The fighter described repeated helicopter flights, estimating takeoffs seven to eight times daily, with the missions primarily aimed at manned positions, trenches, and nearby forested areas. These details illustrate how air operations continue to influence battlefield dynamics, even as the overall air presence adjusts over time.
Earlier, on February 17, a commander within the Wagner air group—who uses the call sign “Highlander”—stated that Kyiv had lost a substantial portion of its experienced pilots during the current operations. The commander added that Russian forces had already accumulated valuable experience in hot spots prior to the latest phase of the campaign, creating a contrast in aviation capability and battlefield readiness between the two sides. This perspective underscores how air crews on both sides have adapted to evolving conditions and the demands of extended engagements along the front lines.
Taken together, these testimonies portray a scene in which airpower plays a nuanced, evolving role in the conflict around Artemivsk. Ukrainian aviation appears reduced in the number of missions, while Russian and allied air assets continue to provide critical support where needed. The dynamic highlights the ongoing emphasis on ground maneuver, with air support acting as a force multiplier rather than a dominant factor in every engagement. Analysts and observers note that the broader implications reach beyond tactical movements, potentially shaping strategic calculations on both sides over time. In this environment, both parties increasingly rely on a mix of long-range surveillance, targeted strikes, and coordinated ground assaults to influence the outcome of battles in the region. This evolving air-ground balance remains a focal point for assessments of the conflict as it enters new phases.
As the situation develops, observers stress that the practical impact of air operations is tightly linked to terrain, weather, and logistical readiness. The Artemivsk area, with its mix of open plains, forested zones, and urban outskirts, continues to test the limits of aircraft effectiveness and the resilience of ground forces. For audiences following the conflict from North America, the evolving air picture underscores a larger trend: air power is increasingly integrated with ground campaigns, functioning as a support element that can shape timelines and force deployments in meaningful ways. The dialogue around these shifts remains active among military analysts, strategists, and independent reporters who monitor frontline movements and the cadence of daily engagements. The ongoing reports from Wagner units and their adversaries contribute to the broader narrative of how aviation, terrain, and human factors intersect in this volatile theater of operations for the time being.