Russia covers rotation of its forces near Bakhmut with heavy artillery fire

He said this on Espreso TV. 

“For several days in a row, the number of combat engagements with the enemy in the Bakhmut sector has decreased due to the Russian troops' rotation. The defeated and almost destroyed criminal Wagner organization is retreating, having actually recognized its latent surrender. The enemy understands the huge reputational and military risks of the possibility of a quick loss of its positions near Bakhmut and in the city itself, so it is redeploying its best units, airborne and motorized infantry,” said the spokesman for Ukraine’s Eastern Military Grouping.

Serhiy Cherevatyi said that Ukrainian forces do not allow the Russian troops to conduct rotation with impunity, and four combat engagements took place over the past day.

“The enemy is covering the rotation with powerful artillery fire, firing 436 times. We strike back: 59 enemy servicemen were killed, 103 wounded and one captured over the last day. We also destroyed a ZALA UAV, two electronic warfare stations, one Giatsint self-propelled gun, two ammunition vehicles, two ammunition depots, as well as an anti-tank missile system. Generally speaking, preparations are underway on both sides. We are preparing hard so that none of the enemy's plans will succeed in the Bakhmut direction. With God's help, we will defeat the enemy, just like in previous times,” Cherevatyi emphasized.

• On May 20, the leader of the Russian Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, released a video with a statement about the alleged complete occupation of the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut by Russians.

• On May 25, the terrorist announced the beginning of the withdrawal of his units from Bakhmut.

• According to Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar, as of the evening of May 31, the outskirts of Bakhmut in the southwestern part of the city remain under the control of the Defense Forces. The Ukrainian Armed Forces also control the entrance to the city.

• On June 1, the commander of the AFU Land Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, reported on the situation in Bakhmut.