Russian forces run out of manpower in Bakhmut direction - military analyst Hetman

He said this on Espreso TV. 

“The Russians need to report on May 9 and generally report on their so-called 'special operation,' that it is making progress. The Russians have suffered heavy losses over the past few months. According to the indicative data, it is 100,000 military, including 20,000 killed and 80,000 wounded. These were mostly the Wagner soldiers, of whom there were up to 45,000 last fall, and now there are no more than 5,000 left. Currently, there are about 25,000 Russian soldiers in the Bakhmut sector. These are 5,000 Wagner mercenaries and about 20,000 Russian army troops who were transferred,” explained Hetman.

According to a military analyst, the Russian enemy has deployed about 60 tanks of various modifications and about 450 units of heavy armored vehicles in the Bakhmut direction. 

“These are all the forces that are in the area of Bakhmut and are trying to advance to reach the western outskirts of the city. But apparently, the occupiers are running out of manpower. The power of their attacks in this area is gradually weakening. In addition, in localized battles, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are liberating some areas and gradually advancing,” Hetman emphasized. 

• Since starting the war in Ukraine, Russia has lost 191,940 soldiers, 2,505 drones, and 300 air defense systems. 

• On May 2, while in the Bakhmut direction, Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, said that the defense operation would continue and that the enemy would be contained in the east.

• Roman Svitan, a reserve colonel of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and a military expert, believes that the Russians will have to withdraw from Bakhmut.