Russian forces have conducted tactical withdrawals in and around the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, marking a significant shift in the conflict between the two countries. The withdrawals came after Ukrainian forces launched a series of attacks on Friday, leading to some success for the Ukrainian military. However, it is too early to declare the beginning of a spring offensive.
The battle for Bakhmut is now the single longest and bloodiest of the Russia-Ukraine war, with Ukrainians making small gains in the city. Despite this, Russia still controls about 90 percent of the largely ruined city. Recent reports suggest that the Ukrainian army is making headway in the area. A top Ukrainian commander said that his ground forces have shown they can succeed under difficult conditions in their effort to push back Russia’s advances in the city of Bakhmut.
The war between Russia and Ukraine reached its 446th day, and there have been several key events in the past few months. France has pledged to provide more tanks and armored vehicles to Ukraine, while two Russian commanders were killed in the conflict. On May 13, 2023, Ukrainian forces continued to counterattack in the Bakhmut area amid unconfirmed claims of further marginal Ukrainian gains southwest of the city.
Russian forces fell back to “defensive positions” near Bakhmut in what was the first admission by Moscow that Ukraine is successfully recapturing ground around the eastern city. The Russian Defense Ministry acknowledged that its forces retreated from positions north of the city of Bakhmut, which has been the scene of heavy fighting for months.
There have also been reports of attacks by Russia on Ukraine, including the use of drones to target the city of Khmelnytskyi in Western Ukraine. Massive explosions and fireballs were reported in the area following the salvo of attack drones launched by Russia. At least one Russian warplane and a military helicopter crashed in the Bryansk region bordering Ukraine, with several reports claiming the craft had been shot down.
The war between Russia and Ukraine has caused devastation and loss of life for both countries, with the fighting reaching a critical point in recent months. Ukrainian President Zelenskiy has been working to secure support from other countries, including France and the UK. France has pledged additional military aid, including light tanks, armored vehicles and other assistance, as Ukraine gears up for a counteroffensive against Russian forces.
Meanwhile, Russian military recruiters have become more assertive in approaching Central Asian migrants amid Moscow’s efforts to recruit more men to fight in Ukraine. Russian lawmakers have also criticized naturalized citizens for their unwillingness to fight.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine shows no signs of abating, with both sides continuing to make strategic moves to gain the upper hand. The war has caused significant damage to both countries, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming months.