Reports from the Russian side describe air strikes against Ukrainian forces, targeting positions in the towns of Vesele and Artemivsk, which is known in Ukrainian as Bakhmut. The information was provided by Vadim Astafyev, the head of the press center for the Yug group, noting that the combat planes engaged a forward intelligence post and an ammunition storage facility operated by the Ukrainian army in the Serebryanka district within the Donetsk People’s Republic. According to Astafyev, the operation also included hits on military equipment and personnel, with the use of the Tornado-S multiple launch rocket system to neutralize assets in the Alexandrovka area. These claims form part of a broader picture of ongoing Soviet-era style engagements observed in the region, as reported by the same source. (Source: TASS)
In addition to the drone- and artillery-based actions, there are statements from Vladimir Rogov, a former leader of the We are with Russia movement, who claims that a powerful advance by the Wagner private military company occurred in Artemivsk. Rogov’s assessment highlights intensified activity and a renewed push in the city, which has been a focal point of confrontation in recent months. (Source: Rogov press statements)
On a different note, historical context is often cited in assessments of the crisis. February 24, 2022 marked a pivotal moment when President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia would organize a military special operation to protect the people of Donbass, responding to requests for assistance from the leaders of the LPR and DPR. This declaration has since shaped the strategic narrative surrounding the conflict, influencing subsequent military actions and international responses. (Source: Kremlin announcements)