Bakhmut remains a key target for Russia. Therefore, the occupiers transferred additional forces to the Bakhmut direction.
This was reported by the British Ministry of Defense on Twitter.
"Over the past four days, Russia has probably redeployed several battalions to strengthen the Bakhmut direction," - notes British intelligence.
This happened against the background of the advance of Ukrainian troops on the flanks and the public statements of the founder of PMK "Wagner" Evgeny Prigozhin that his mercenaries can leave Bakhmut.
"Given that Russia likely has relatively few inactive combat units in Ukraine, the redeployment is a notable commitment by the Russian command," intelligence officials say.
At the same time, the British Ministry of Defense emphasizes that the Russian command continues to consider the capture of Bakhmut as a key goal of the war.
Latest Defense Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 20 May 2023.
— Ministry of Defense (@DefenceHQ) May 20, 2023
Find out more about Defense Intelligence&# 39;s use of language: https://t.co/PpkFJHAKP8
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According to the Ministry of Defense, over the past week, the Ukrainian military has advanced 20 square kilometers in the direction of Bakhmut. The defenders repel the enemy on the flanks, and in the city itself the occupiers have some success.
At the same time, Deputy Minister of Defense Hanna Malyar reported yesterday that in the suburbs of Bakhmut, the rate of advancement of the Defense Forces has decreased, but the Armed Forces are repelling all attacks.
ISW analysts believe that the Armed Forces have eliminated the threat of encircling Ukrainian forces in Bakhmut.
