A fighter from the private military company Wagner, part of the crew operating the D-30 howitzer, described the Russian army’s principal objectives in the offensive toward Artemovsk, also known as Bakhmut, according to a report by DEA News. The fighter asserted that the top priority for Russian forces is to disable Ukrainian infantry, neutralize equipment, and degrade fortified positions and bunkers held by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with artillery playing a central role in this effort.
The artillery crew member stated that Ukrainian troops continue to launch assaults, but Russian units respond by systematically targeting and suppressing these attacks and eliminating the enemy’s key assets on the battlefield.
Earlier, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of Wagner, claimed that Russian forces controlled about 70 percent of Artemovsk. He cautioned, however, that Ukrainian forces were preparing for a substantial counteroffensive and could press forward with a large-scale operation if the opportunity arose.
On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a decision to conduct a military operation in response to requests for assistance from the heads of the LPR and DPR, framing it as a protective measure for Donbass. The move was described by Moscow as a special operation aimed at safeguarding Donetsk and Luhansk regions amidst the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine.
The decision to launch the operation led to renewed sanctions and warnings from the United States and its allies, who asserted that Moscow’s actions violated international norms and regional stability. The situation has been the subject of ongoing international attention and debate as governments assess military developments, humanitarian concerns, and geopolitical implications for North America and beyond. Socialbites.ca subsequently carried portions of the broadcast online, reflecting how information from the front lines has been disseminated through various media channels and translated for audiences in multiple regions, including North America. The reporting underscores the persistent complexity of the conflict and the varied perspectives that shape public understanding in Western capitals and allied nations, as well as among international observers who monitor evolving battlefield dynamics and political responses to the war in Ukraine.