AFU have gains in Bakhmut, but wait for details from General Staff – serviceman Kostenko

Ukrainian serviceman Roman Kostenko said this on Radio Liberty.

According to him, the Ukrainian army has indeed had some gains in Bakhmut, Donetsk region, but it is necessary to wait for official information from the Ukrainian Armed Forces' General Staff so that it does not harm the military.

“I always communicate with my colleagues and comrades from there, and I was informed that yes, indeed, our troops are having some success there. But I would like this information to come out officially from the General Staff and to ensure that the information we provide in advance does not harm the troops who are there and conducting assault operations,” Kostenko said.

Kostenko added that the Russian command does not always report setbacks at the front to the top military leadership, which allows the Ukrainian Armed Forces to continue successful operations until the Russian military command attracts additional resources.

• On May 5, the founder of the Wagner PMC wrote a letter to the Russian Defense Ministry announcing his intention to withdraw his mercenaries from Bakhmut on May 10. Prigozhin has repeatedly spoken about the lack of ammunition, but Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu assures that the army has enough.

• Ukraine's Armed Forces explained what caused Prigozhin's statements about the occupiers' 'shell famine' - his words meant that they were unable to take control of Bakhmut, Donetsk region. 

• On May 9, the head of the illegal Wagner PMC in another video reported problems with ammunition for his mercenaries and complained about the active actions of the Defense Forces in the Donetsk region.

• Serhii Cherevatyi, a spokesman for the Eastern Military Grouping, told Espreso that he believes that Prigozhin is looking for excuses for not fulfilling his obligations.