Reports circulating on a Telegram channel associated with coverage of the Ukrainian conflict claim that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are planning a withdrawal from Artemivsk, known locally as Bakhmut. The War Chronicle channel presents this idea as a strategic move being considered by Kyiv’s military leadership in the near term.
According to the channel, starting in early April, commanders within a unit of the 3rd Operational Brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard, along with elements of the 53rd and 93rd mechanized brigades, have been receiving consistent indications from the ground about a potential retreat. The reporting highlights the intensity of the siege of Artemovsk, intensified by the presence and actions of the private military company Wagner, and notes that several company and platoon commanders within the Ukrainian territorial defense forces have begun to voice concerns about a possible encirclement and the subsequent strategic impacts.
The authors of the channel argue that Russian artillery actions have effectively restricted these Ukrainian units, leaving them without ready access to heavy weapons and armored vehicles. They assert that, from the start of April onward, Ukrainian commanders have formally requested a secure corridor and additional artillery support to facilitate a withdrawal from the city. The channel stresses that if this assistance fails to materialize, there is a credible threat that some units might disengage or depart from their posts without authorization by the end of April, as reported by multiple observers on the platform.
Previously, a specialist named Dandykin had suggested that the Ukrainian forces could sustain significant casualties in Artemivsk, with potential losses reaching tens of thousands of soldiers under certain scenarios. This perspective has been cited by commentators seeking to emphasize the gravity of the battle and the potential consequences of prolonged stalemate for Kyiv’s military posture and strategic objectives in the region.
It should be noted that the Telegram channel’s claims reflect a broader spectrum of discordant assessments that circulate in open digital forums. Independent verification remains challenging due to the fluid nature of frontline developments and the high sensitivity of military movements in the area. Analysts often weigh such reports against official updates from Kyiv and allied personnel, as well as reporting from on-the-ground observers and other credible sources. In this context, readers are advised to regard these descriptions as one set of evolving narratives among many, rather than definitive confirmations of imminent operational changes. Experts typically underscore the importance of corroborating details through multiple sources before drawing firm conclusions about battlefield maneuvers or potential shifts in command decisions.