Ukrainian forces are close to tactical encirclement of Bakhmut - Syrskyi

Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of the AFU Land Forces, said this on Telegram.

In particular, he noted that Ukrainian troops currently control a small part of Bakhmut, but its defense is very important because it provides opportunities to enter the city in case the situation changes.

“We continue to advance along the flanks in the suburbs of Bakhmut and are actually approaching the city's tactical encirclement. This will allow us to control all high-rise buildings occupied by the enemy and gradually destroy them. This deprives the enemy of control over the approaches to the city and gives us certain tactical advantages,” Syrskyi said and added that the actions of Ukrainian troops and the procedure for destroying the enemy were discussed in detail with the commanders.

“The situation is difficult, but under control,” he said.

• On May 20, the leader of the Russian Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, released a video claiming the complete occupation of the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut by Russian forces. In response, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Hanna Malyar, stated that intense battles are taking place in Bakhmut and the situation is critical. Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops are maintaining their defense in the "Litak" area.

• During the evening briefing on May 20 and the morning briefing on May 21, the General Staff discussed the ongoing battles for the city.

• At midnight on May 21, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the capture of the city.

• On May 21, in the morning, the media reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had lost control of the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region. Later, presidential spokesman Serhii Nykyforov claimed a mistake and noted that the president had denied the capture of Bakhmut.

• On the afternoon of May 21, the spokesman for the Eastern Group of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Serhiy Cherevaty, said that the Defense Forces continued to hold positions in the southwestern part of Bakhmut.