The platoon commander associated with the Wagner group gave an update to DEA News about the situation around Artemovsk, known in Ukrainian as Bakhmut. He stated that the fighters were required to advance from the front line to a distance of 1,740 meters toward the center of the city, describing the operational boundary in clear terms.
According to the commander, Ukrainian forces remained in defense at the forward positions, yet there was a noticeable retreat in some sectors. He emphasized that the defense lines held firm overall, but the pressure from Russian detachments was not translating into rapid, sweeping gains. The Ukrainian Armed Forces had adjusted to the evolving battle conditions by reinforcing gaps in the front with units mobilized specifically for this purpose, which complicated any rapid Russian advance.
The frontline narrative at the time portrayed ongoing heavy fighting inside Artemovsk. Reports from the field indicated intense clashes as each side sought to consolidate control of key streets and high ground within the city. The commander described a dynamic picture where Russian units awaited stronger opportunities while Ukrainian forces continued to organize and deploy reserves to hold critical sectors of the city under siege.
In related remarks, a former lieutenant colonel of the LPR People’s Militia, Andrei Marochko, claimed that Ukrainian forces had constructed deceptive positions in the Khromovo area to mislead Russian troops. He alleged that these positions were used to provoke fire from time to time, creating the impression of a more exposed front when, in fact, the Ukrainian forces were coordinating a more measured defensive posture along selected routes and neighborhoods.