We can cautiously talk about Russia's defeat in Bakhmut – Defense Express expert Kyrychevskyi

Defense Express expert Ivan Kyrychevskyi said this on Espreso TV. 

“The following strategic picture is emerging in Bakhmut. Apparently, we can already begin to cautiously say that the Russians have lost the battle for Bakhmut. Let's recall the chronology of events. In February, there were anxious expectations in society that it might be time to withdraw troops to avoid encirclement. Then there was an optimistic scenario if the city could be held at least until April. Then there was a point of tension when the Russians had to take the city by May 9. To accomplish this task, they concentrated the maximum amount of manpower and firepower. Our official speakers denied Prigozhin's statements about the lack of ammunition,” Kyrychevskyi said.

He emphasized that even under such unfavorable conditions, Ukrainian troops not only held a large part of the city, but also launched counterattacks.

“Regardless of the results for this day, it is already clear that the Russians have been strategically defeated. The Russian Defense Ministry has already announced 'another gesture of goodwill.' They have already begun to gradually pull back troops from the Bakhmut direction, officially recognizing this. The Russians have reasons to throw tantrums, and the Ukrainian Armed Forces will deepen these reasons,” the expert concluded.

• On May 10, the Commander of the AFU Land Forces, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, confirmed the information previously reported by military commanders that the Ukrainian Defense Forces forced Russian troops to retreat to a distance of up to 2 kilometers in the Bakhmut sector.