If Wagner troops capture ruins of Bakhmut, Ukrainian forces will have heights and see Russian enemy in full view – Ukrainian serviceman Syrotiuk

He said this on the air of the Espreso TV channel.

"The only threat in the battles for Bakhmut was the encirclement of the city from the flanks. Prigozhin stated several times that the Ukrainian army was trapped. But our successes on the flanks have led to the fact that now there is no question of any cauldron or trap. The Ukrainian Armed Forces control the strategic heights near Bakhmut. That is, we have Bakhmut in the palm of our hand. There are logistical supply routes to the city. The roads are under the enemy's fire control, but we are holding our positions," noted Syrotiuk.

According to the fighter, even if the Wagner mercenaries capture the ruins of Bakhmut, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have the dominant heights behind them.

"Even if under certain circumstances the Wagner forces do capture the ruins of the Bakhmut apartment district, where the Ukrainian army is stationed, there are heights behind the Ukrainian army. We will see the enemy as if on a billiard table. The enemy's tactic is very simple: see the outskirts of Bakhmut and die. Without controlling the heights, it is impossible to control the city, it is suicide. After these attacks, the story of Wagner's PMC will either end completely in Ukraine or be suspended for a while. Putin needs a propaganda gift. They couldn't take Kyiv in three days, so they want to report on Bakhmut in 400 days," Syrotyuk emphasized.

• On May 13, British intelligence reported that units of the 72nd Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Russian Federation had chaotically withdrawn from their positions on the southern flank of the Bakhmut direction.
• On May 13, Ukrainian troops were reported to be gradually advancing in two directions in the suburbs of Bakhmut. 
• Ukrainian troops continue defensive operations in the Bakhmut sector and move forward in some areas of the frontline
• The American Institute for the Study of War confirmed that the Defense Forces had liberated 16.85 square kilometers in the area of Bakhmut, Donetsk region.
• On May 15, Land Forces Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi called the advance of Ukrainian troops in the Bakhmut area the first success of the offensive.
• ISW reports that Russia has decided to intensify its tactical offensive in the Bakhmut area, despite the fact that Ukraine has apparently focused on localized counterattacks there