Only 5 km separate two Russian groups trying to surround Bakhmut – military analyst Hetman

Military analyst Oleksii Hetman said this on Espreso TV. 

“The guys are holding the line every day. Over the past day, the Russian forces' tactics have changed – they are not as active in trying to surround Bakhmut from the north and south. In the south they have advanced at least 10 kilometers along the M-03 road and a little less in the north. There is only 5 kilometers between these two groups around Bakhmut,” he said.

According to Hetman, the town west of Bakhmut is under fire control not only from artillery but also from mortars.

“Over the last day, the Russians have started fighting not so much to capture the city in these areas, but to try to push Ukrainians out of the city directly. They began to press step by step from east to west, advancing in the city. We are still fighting and holding the line,” the analyst summarized.