Russian troops move along road leading to Sloviansk from northern Bakhmut - military expert Zgurets

He shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

"There are certain changes in the Bakhmut area. The enemy started moving from northern Bakhmut along the road leading to Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. The situation is not critical yet. But the enemy is trying to use every opportunity to seize more Ukrainian territory. This advancement to Sloviansk and Kramatorsk should theoretically then unfold to try to surround our group that is currently defending Siversk. This is an assumption, but we will see if the enemy has enough strength," emphasized Zgurets.

Defense Express CEO also added that Russian troops are trying to implement a strategy of encircling Avdiivka.

"Fighting has been going on in the Avdiivka direction for a long time. For 9 years now, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been holding back the enemy's advance near Avdiivka, which the enemy is trying to encircle. Vuhledar is also one of the enemy's priority areas. But the Ukrainian defense system there is built in such a way that there are open areas where it is difficult for the enemy to advance. In other areas, the situation has not changed, although it is quite hot," noted Zgurets.

• The situation around Bakhmut, Donetsk region, remains difficult, Wagner PMC assault units are advancing from several directions trying to break through the Ukrainian defense.

• Following the ban on recruitment of convicts, Wagner PMC started looking for mercenaries in sports centers and high schools.