Ukraine claims gains in Bakhmut after Russia denials
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Loading... - Claire Lavigne
- 12 May 2023
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The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been ongoing since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine. Since then, there have been frequent clashes in eastern Ukraine between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists. Despite numerous attempts at peace talks, the situation remains tense, and there are concerns that the conflict could escalate further.
The claims signal a momentum shift in Bakhmut - but more widely, there is no clear evidence of the much-anticipated Ukrainian counter-offensive.
Russia denied Ukrainian claims but said its troops had regrouped in one area.
Units of the southern group of Russian forces had taken up a better defensive position in the Maloilinivka area, something which took into consideration "the favourable conditions of the Berkhivka reservoir", Russia's defence ministry said.
On May 10, Ukraine's military announced that it had gained control of several villages near the town of Bakhmut, which is located in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian military claimed that it had driven back Russian-backed separatists and taken control of strategic high ground in the area.
However, Russia denied that any fighting had taken place in the area and accused Ukraine of violating a ceasefire that had been agreed upon in July 2020. The Russian Ministry of Defense issued a statement saying that "no shelling or other combat actions involving the Russian military personnel were registered in the vicinity of Bakhmut."
The head of Russia's Wagner mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin said what the Ministry of Defence was talking about "is unfortunately called 'fleeing' and not a 'regrouping'".
As the intense, bloody battle has worn on, Bakhmut has become symbolically important - though many experts question its tactical value.
In a post on Telegram, Ms Malyar said Bakhmut has become a target of "almost sacred" importance to Russia.
She accused the Kremlin of simultaneously claiming false victories on one hand, while also spreading lies about being short on weapons and ammunition.
Describing the "real situation" over the past week, Ms Malyar claimed Russia suffered significant troop losses, as Ukraine gained 2km without losing any positions.
The International Response
The situation in Ukraine has been closely watched by the international community, and there have been calls for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The United States and its allies have been providing military and economic support to Ukraine, while Russia has been providing support to the separatists.
Following Ukraine's announcement of gains in Bakhmut, the European Union issued a statement calling on all sides to "de-escalate the situation and to engage in good faith in the Trilateral Contact Group negotiations." The Trilateral Contact Group is a group that includes representatives from Ukraine, Russia, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and is tasked with finding a peaceful solution to the conflict.
