Russia goes on defensive in all areas except Bakhmut and Avdiivka - Ukraine’s Intelligence Chief

He said this in an interview with Radio NV.

He noted that the Russian forces have been trying to capture Bakhmut since June last year, but to no avail.

"Two areas are the exception. The first is an attempt to capture Bakhmut. I must also say frankly that they have been almost capturing Bakhmut, according to their own personal statements, since June 2022. It will soon be a calendar year. The situation there is complicated, but Bakhmut is still standing. The second is an attempt to semi-capture Avdiivka from the northern side, where the main front of Marinka is located nearby, basically an attempt to take active action there," explains Budanov.

• Institute for the Study of War: Wagner PMC militants are being reinforced with modern means to capture the city of Bakhmut, Donetsk region, despite tensions between the Russian Defense Ministry and the founder of the Wagner PMC Yevgeny Prigozhin.