Local AFU gains in Bakhmut may allow to seize initiative along entire front line – SBU Colonel Kostenko

He expressed this opinion on Espreso. 

Kostenko explained that the Defense Forces near Bakhmut have achieved some small victories, resulting in a shift from constant defense to offensive operations against the enemy's onslaught.

The SBU colonel highlighted that the success of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Bakhmut direction is a crucial step towards seizing the initiative across the entire front line.

“While acknowledging that there hasn't been a major victory yet near Bakhmut, it is too early to make definitive claims. However, these smaller successes in the Bakhmut direction will contribute to larger counteroffensive operations. The local achievements of the Armed Forces will pave the way for seizing the initiative along the entire front line. Once the initiative is secured near Bakhmut, more proactive actions can be undertaken in all directions,” he added.

• On May 14, the American Institute for the Study of War confirmed that the Defense Forces liberated an area of 16.85 sq. km in the Bakhmut district of Donetsk region. 

• Furthermore, on May 15, the commander of the Ground Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, stated that the advancement of Ukrainian troops in the Bakhmut direction marks the initial success of the offensive.