Russia's invading troops are now facing 'multiple threats' along 125-mile front line with Ukraine's forces making ground in Bakhmut, UK MoD says amid Kremlin's Wagner mutiny turmoilBy CHRIS JEWERS
26 June 2023
Russia's invading troops are facing 'multiple threats' along a 125-mile section of the front line, with Ukraine's forces making ground around Bakhmut, Britain's Ministry of Defense has reported, amid the fallout from the weekend's Wagner mutiny. After calling off his troops' 'march for justice' toward Moscow, mercenary warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin was expected to go into exile in Belarus as part of a deal that pulled Russia and Vladimir Putin back from the brink of a potential catastrophe. As the world watched the brief armed rebellion unfold, many questioned whether Ukraine would take advantage of the chaos and step up its counteroffensive which has made small gains into Russian-held territory in recent weeks. While there was no initial sign of a major new push to capitalize on the confusion in the Russian ranks, there were reports of Kyiv's troops attacking three fronts: around the Russian-held city of Bakhmut, and along the border between western Donetsk and eastern Zaporizhia oblasts, and further west in the Zaporizhia oblast.
In its most recent intelligence update, Britain's MoD said Ukraine had 'gained impetus in its assaults around Bakhmut' - a city lost to Russia in May. 'In a multi-brigade operation, Ukrainian forces have made progress on both the northern and southern flanks of the town,' the ministry said. It added that there was 'little evidence' that Russia could reinforce its ground forces with reserves 'against the multiple threats it is now facing in widely separated sectors, from Bakhmut to the eastern bank of the Dnipro River, over 200km (124 miles) away.' The intelligence update came as Ukrainian military leaders insisted they were making progress in a multi-direction offensive targeting Russian lines in the south and east of the country, as footage showed Ukrainian forces taking out Russian hardware. 'We are knocking the enemy out of his positions on the flanks of the city of Bakhmut,' ground force commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said. 'Ukraine is regaining its territory. We are moving forward,' he said. Deputy defense minister Ganna Malyar said Ukraine had recaptured 17 square kilometers (6.5 square miles) of ground in the past week, bringing the total for June's offensive to 130 (50 square miles).
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Source:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/galleries/article-12235669/Russias-troops-allegedly-facing-multiple-threats-frontline.html
