Ukrainian defense forces are making significant progress on broad front in Bakhmut direction. Military expert Serhiy Zgurets

The Ukrainian Defense Forces are effectively carrying out operations on the outskirts of Bakhmut

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine calls on citizens to remain quiet about the counteroffensive, but the actions of the Ukrainian military speak for themselves. Yesterday, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported that the Defense Forces are moving in the Bakhmut direction on a broad front and are making progress. The ministry also noted that because of the defeats near Bakhmut, Russia is spreading false information that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have launched a counteroffensive along the entire front line. In my perspective, it appears that every development on the front lines is connected to the Ukrainian Armed Forces' summer offensive. Yesterday, Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of the Ukrainian Land Forces, released details regarding the Ukrainian units' offensive against Russian positions near Bakhmut. He emphasized the continuous advancement of the Defense Forces. Currently, the Ukrainian military's primary focus in Bakhmut is to isolate the flanks of the Russian group through concerted efforts. Soldiers from the Ukrainian Armed Forces have shared with Espreso TV that intense fighting broke the previous night to the north of Bakhmut. Ukrainian units are making advances despite Russian troops’ attempts to hold their positions. Both sides are engaged in heavy artillery and mortar exchanges. A similar situation is observed on the southern flank of Bakhmut, with the focal point being in Klishchiivka. Klishchiivka is under attack from two directions. Considering the rapid progress our troops have made, I am hopeful that by the end of the week, we will see the complete expulsion of the enemy from Klishchiivka.

Fighting in the Bakhmut direction as of June 5

Furthermore, it is important to highlight that Russian forces are persistently utilizing not only artillery but also aviation in the Bakhmut direction. They have recently intensified aerial bombardments on Ukrainian Defense Forces' positions. This poses a significant challenge, despite Ukraine’s continuous efforts to strengthen its air defense capabilities. We recognize that the objectives of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Bakhmut are focused on stabilizing the front line. By establishing stability on the flanks of Bakhmut, we can lay the groundwork for successful military operations by the Defense Forces in other areas along the front line.

The Ukrainian Defense Forces have assumed full initiative on the outskirts of Bakhmut

According to Rodion Kudriashov, deputy commander of the 3rd separate assault brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Ukrainian forces are making progress in improving and reclaiming positions previously held by the Russians in all directions surrounding Bakhmut. He mentioned that the 3rd assault brigade has achieved some success on the flanks near Bakhmut and has implemented measures to dislodge the enemy from several positions. Kudriashov emphasized that the Defense Forces now hold the initiative in the fighting on the outskirts of Bakhmut. He further highlighted the crucial task of maintaining the momentum of the Ukrainian army's offensive operations.

Rodion Kudriashov also cautioned against expecting immediate positive results from the Ukrainian army's actions in the Bakhmut direction. He emphasized the importance of not paying attention to Russian statements, as Russia holds an advantage in terms of ammunition. Kudriashov noted that the Russian army utilizes a significant amount of ammunition, which unfortunately hinders the pace of the Ukrainian army's offensive operations.

According to the deputy commander of the 3rd separate assault brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Russians are conducting troop rotations in the Bakhmut direction. However, Kudriashov clarified that the reason for the rotation is not to replace Wagner mercenaries with regular Russian army units. Instead, he stated that this rotation is taking place because the Defense Forces have effectively neutralized a significant portion of Wagner PMC personnel.

As of May 1, the total amount of military scrap in Ukraine is over half a million tons

According to Oleksandr Sheiko, Chairman of the Expert and Scientific Council of Uavtormet (Ukrainian Association of Recycled Metals), the process of classifying destroyed military equipment as scrap metal suitable for melting down into steel is challenging. Several complex and costly operations are required to prepare the equipment for melting. Sheiko mentioned that as of May 1, over half a million tons of military scrap to be recycled have accumulated in Ukraine. To put it into perspective, Ukraine's heavy industry consumed over  850,000 tons of scrap in 2022. Sheiko highlighted that the quantity of military scrap in Ukraine would be sufficient to sustain foundries for five years of operation.

A destroyed Russian tank (illustrative photo).

According to Oleksandr Sheiko, military scrap metal in Ukraine can be divided into three categories. One-third of the scrap is ferrous metal, which can be processed by any enterprise. Another portion consists of steel scrap, which can be processed by Ukrainian foundries and metallurgical companies, albeit under specific technological conditions. However, Sheiko mentioned that there is also a portion of scrap that had not been processed in Ukraine even before the war.

Mr. Sheiko further emphasized that there is currently only one company in Ukraine engaged in the processing of military scrap, although he refrained from disclosing its name due to security reasons. He also highlighted that foreign companies have displayed significant interest in the military scrap in Ukraine. Several European companies have expressed their willingness to process the scrap metal. However, Ukrainian law prohibits the export of military scrap, which means that these foreign companies cannot export the final processed product outside of Ukraine.