Russian forces will be trapped in Bakhmut – Zgurets on AFU city heights control

He stated this on Espreso. 

According to Serhiy Zgurets, the Ukrainian side is implementing a plan to turn Bakhmut into a trap for the enemy units located within the city. While the enemy may have entered the administrative borders of Bakhmut at the tactical level, strategically, it becomes a systemic trap. 

Offensive actions are being carried out by the Armed Forces and Defense Forces units on the southern and northern flanks, particularly towards the exit to Berkhivka in the north and Klishchiivka in the south. The 3rd Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other units are actively engaged in combat operations in these areas.

“Capturing these commanding heights surrounding Bakhmut effectively cuts off supply routes to the city, where a significant number of Wagner units are located. It seems that the enemy is now attempting to quickly escape from Bakhmut due to these circumstances,” he said.

Foreign experts have acknowledged that the defense of the city was justified, as it allowed for the training and development of offensive forces that will be deployed in other directions as well.

“Bakhmut has become a formidable obstacle for the enemy, with the ongoing deployment of reserve units indicating Russia's unwillingness to leave Bakhmut with such substantial losses. The propaganda media of the Russian troops will face a challenge in portraying the situation in Bakhmut as they claim to have captured the city. The Ukrainian artillery positioned on commanding heights enables the destruction of enemy forces within the city itself, with control over routes and key areas such as Berkhivka, Klishchiivka, and Chasiv Yar,” he said. 

• On May 20, the leader of Russian Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, released a video with a statement about the alleged complete occupation of the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut by Russians. In response, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Hanna Malyar said that there were heavy battles in Bakhmut and the situation was critical. At the same time, Ukrainian troops are holding the defense in the Litak district.

• The Ukrainian General Staff's evening (May 20) and morning (May 21) reports mentioned the ongoing battle for the city.

• The Russian Defense Ministry announced the capture of the city at midnight on May 21. 

• On May 21, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had taken Bakhmut in a semi-surrounding, which makes it possible to eliminate Russians - Russian troops in the controlled part of the city have to defend itself.

• On the same day, Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrsky, commander of the Land Forces, said that Ukrainian soldiers were advancing along the flanks in the suburbs of Bakhmut and were actually approaching the city's tactical encirclement. 

• And the spokesman for the Eastern Group of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Serhiy Cherevaty, emphasized that Ukrainian defenders advanced by about 200 meters in some areas near Bakhmut on Sunday. In addition, they continue to hold the southwestern part of the city.