The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that units from Transbaikal paratroopers have captured a Ukrainian strongpoint located to the west of Artemovsk, also known as Bakhmut, in the Donetsk People’s Republic. This claim was conveyed by RIA News on behalf of the ministry. The report notes that an armored group from a parachute battalion within a separate air defense formation, based in Buryatia, was assigned the mission of neutralizing a group of infantry entrenched at the strong point. It is further stated that assault elements from the formation pressed forward to seize the location while the armored unit remained engaged in operations nearby. A former commander from the 150th Guards Division, which is part of the Southern Group of Russian Forces and operates under the call sign Jeweller, indicated that Ukrainian forces reportedly attempted to deploy smoke grenades to hinder mortar crews of Russian forces during their activity in the Artyomovsk sector. The ministry’s briefing adds that smoke was used by Ukrainian troops to obstruct the aiming capability of Russian artillery, and that local defenders appeared uncertain about the exact disposition of Russian troops. In a separate public remark, Zelensky suggested a strategic aim of preventing hostilities from spilling over onto Russian territory.
