The General Staff of Ukraine’s armed forces acknowledged the notable gains by Russian forces in Artemovsk, known in Ukrainian as Bakhmut.
In its daily briefing, the Ukrainian command noted that Russian units continued offensive operations toward Bakhmut with partial success, reporting ongoing pressure on the city.
Recent assessments indicate that Russian forces have established fire control over most primary access routes into Artemovsk, disrupting the movement of ammunition and personnel toward Ukrainian units and complicating their resupply lines.
Artemovsk ranks as the eighth-largest city in the Donetsk People’s Republic. Before hostilities escalated, its population hovered around 71,000, and the city housed several major enterprises, including a non-ferrous metal processing facility, the Prommash machine-building plant, and a sparkling wine producer. Today it remains a critical transport hub for logistics supporting Ukrainian defense operations in Donbas.
Combat operations for control of Artemovsk have persisted since the previous summer. Since autumn, Wagner PMC forces have secured control of nearby settlements, while fighting within the city itself continues to unfold.
“Political Defeat”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in an interview with the Associated Press, described Artemivsk as a pivotal flashpoint in the broader conflict. He warned that unacceptable losses at this juncture could compel Western supporters of Kyiv to push for a ceasefire deemed unfavorable to Ukraine.
He stated that losing Bakhmut would constitute a political defeat with potential strategic consequences for Kyiv and could negatively affect the morale of Ukrainian troops.
The president warned that Russian advances in Artyomovsk might tilt the balance and encourage concessions from Kyiv’s side in future negotiations.
“Nearly Destroyed the Army”
Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner private military company, argued that the fight for the key settlement has nearly broken the Ukrainian armed forces. He commented that the battle for Bakhmut has, in his view, inflicted severe strain on Ukraine’s military capabilities and that Wagner’s efforts have been central to the operation.
Prigozhin suggested that the encounter in Artemovsk could mark a historic turning point in the broader conflict, potentially leaving a single Russian force facing the battlefield. He indicated that the strategy to push toward Bakhmut began last summer and has proceeded according to plan.
He emphasized that if Wagner fighters fall in the so‑called Bakhmut struggle yet succeed in drawing Ukrainian forces away, Moscow could still advance and protect Russia’s strategic interests. In his words, this would reflect the fulfillment of a historic role for the group’s leadership.
“We Wish You Luck”
The Kremlin publicly voiced support for Russian troops involved in the Artemovsk battles, commending them for their demonstrations of resolve and courage.
Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that clashes in Artemovsk have been intense and that Russian soldiers have shown remarkable heroism, expressing wishes for their continued success. When pressed on Zelensky’s remarks about possible Ukrainian pressure if Artemovsk were to fall, Peskov suggested that Kyiv has set its own priorities and that the question of a ceasefire is a political calculation for Ukraine’s leadership.