Bakhmut has no strategic importance for Russian troops - national security expert Zhovtenko

He said this on Espreso TV. 

“During the entire period of Bakhmut's defense, the Russians systematically destroyed the city. Everything is destroyed. The city is in ruins. The fact that they entered the ruins has no strategic significance. The question is whether they will still be able to hold Bakhmut. We should also take into account the fact that Ukrainian troops have advanced quite well on the northern and southern outskirts of the city, which potentially threatens to encircle the Russian forces,” Zhovtenko explained.

The expert noted that the Ukrainian Defense Forces' withdrawal from Bakhmut will not affect the overall situation at the front.

“I have very serious doubts that, from a strategic point of view, the Russians will gain any advantage at the front after capturing Bakhmut. They are trying to explain the capture of the city as a great victory in their information space. However, this is not the case,” he added.

• On May 20, the leader of the Russian Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, released a video claiming the complete occupation of the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut by Russian forces. In response, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Hanna Malyar, stated that intense battles are taking place in Bakhmut and the situation is critical. Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops are maintaining their defense in the "Litak" area.

• During the evening briefing on May 20 and the morning briefing on May 21, the General Staff discussed the ongoing battles for the city.

• At midnight on May 21, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the capture of the city.

• On May 21, in the morning, the media reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had lost control of the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region. Later, presidential spokesman Serhii Nykyforov claimed a mistake and noted that the president had denied the capture of Bakhmut.

• On the afternoon of May 21, the spokesman for the Eastern Group of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Serhiy Cherevaty, said that the Defense Forces continued to hold positions in the southwestern part of Bakhmut.