Battle For Bakhmut Swinging in Ukraine's Favor—And Russia Knows It

Newsweek ^ | May 18, 2023 | BRENDAN COLE

[Timber Rattler]

Russia has acknowledged that Ukraine has made territorial gains in the battle for Bakhmut, where Kyiv's forces are said to be advancing on the flanks of the Donetsk city.

The Russian defense ministry said Wednesday that its airborne forces had made marginal advances but acknowledged that Ukraine was continuing its counterattacks near Bohdanivka, three miles to the northwest of the city, and Ivanivske, four miles west.

Pro-Kremlin military analysis channel Rybar called for Russian forces to react to Ukrainian actions, implying that Moscow's forces are losing the initiative in the Bakhmut area.

"Fierce battles are taking place on the flanks" of Bakhmut, read a post on Telegram by Rybar, "into which both sides are pouring in more and more new forces."

"Unfortunately, we are in the position of playing along and are following the lead of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, pulling the most experienced units of the Russian forces into the Bakhmut 'meat grinder,'" the post said.

[Timber Rattler]

Pretty obvious that the tables have turned, with Prigozhin screaming on Telegram last night that the Russian Army was running away. So I guess it wasn't over after all...

Wagner boss accuses Russian army units of leaving flanks of Bakhmut exposed

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, on Thursday accused regular Russian army units of pulling back 570 meters north of the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, leaving his own fighters’ flanks exposed.

Reuters was unable to verify his assertion and there was no immediate comment from the defense ministry.

Wagner forces have been spearheading the assault on Bakhmut, one of the bloodiest and longest battles of the war, something Moscow calls “a special military operation,” with some support from the regular army in recent months.

Prigozhin, who has repeatedly accused Russia’s top military brass of not doing enough to back his men, asked the defense ministry to do all it could to protect Bakhmut’s flanks after what he alleged was a withdrawal.

“Unfortunately, units of the Russian defense ministry have withdrawn up to 570 meters to the north of Bakhmut, exposing our flanks,” Prigozhin said in a voice message.

“I am appealing to the top leadership of the Ministry of Defense - publicly - because my letters are not being read,” Prigozhin said.

“Please do not give up the flanks,” he said, addressing Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov, chief of the General Staff.

[Kazan]

LOL! Timber, the Ukrainians and the Biden regime like BUT MAPS DO NOT LIE:

Russia Launches Final Push In Bakhmut. We Could Hear News Anytime Now

[Its All Over Except ...]

Newsweek is the most credible of all of the confirmed libtard news sources anywhere:

Who is the Ghost of Kyiv? Ukraine MiG-29 Fighter Pilot Becomes the Stuff of Legend

https://www.newsweek.com/who-ghost-kyiv-ukraine-fighter-pilot-mig-29-russian-fighter-jets-combat-1682651

[Its All Over Except ...]

But, but, but...

Newsweek!!!

Who is the Ghost of Kyiv? Ukraine MiG-29 Fighter Pilot Becomes the Stuff of Legend

https://www.newsweek.com/who-ghost-kyiv-ukraine-fighter-pilot-mig-29-russian-fighter-jets-combat-1682651

[Tom Tetroxide]

Of course the Ukes can win this one easily even though the Ruskies have captured 97% of Bakhmut.

[adorno]

Old men fighting wars from a distance.

Almost all leaders who send their military to war, are over 50 years old, and many even older than that.

There ought to be law that applies to all nations, where you can’t send your youth to war if you are of the ‘elder variety’ and you are not on the front-lines in combat yourself.

In fact, all wars should be fought by the elderly, and the youth of all countries should be left behind to build their countries. Let’s see then how many wars would be started by those older types who like to start wars.

[Kazan]

Bakhmut Endgame | Major Wagner Advances | Bakhmut Front Update 18/05/23

[linMcHlp]

Russian army advanced (a wee bit) in a few areas of the front on May 16, 2023.

Same day the Ukraine army advanced, along a few kilometers south of Bakhmut.

Both sides appear to be positioning and probing for, while sensitive to, breakthrough potentials.

[dominusobiscum]

Yes if the Ukes can surround the Russian in Bahkmut, the Russians can take 100 percent but still lose...Seems to be lost on Kazan. Even Prigos statements cant seem to get thru to him.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Newsweak.

[ProudDeplorable]

Newsweek = America’s Pravda

[FlingWingFlyer]

Thanks for the good news, Brandon. Now Zelenskyyy can stop hitting up his uncle FJBidenskyyy for billions of taxpayer dollars.

[Vigilanteman]

What makes this particularly hard to believe is that it is a deep state source.

As a Russian coworker from a previous life put it "At least Pravda would criticize the Politburo once in awhile! Your state media never does."

[Magnum44]

Time for another parade...

[Gnome1949]

Yes. The Uke army has the Russians right where they want them...surrounding them and shelling them into small particles.

Losing 97% of Bakhmut is the very definition of “winning.”

The gaslighting in this conflict is beyond belief.

This would be a laughing hoot if so many Ukrainians were NOT dying by the tens of thousands in a complete slaughter of young men.

[Timber Rattler]

Didn't you bother to read your own article before posting?

It says THIS:

But the "Ghost of Kyiv" is very likely not real, but instead an imaginary hero designed to bolster Ukrainians' morale in the face of the Russian invasion.

[ProudDeplorable]

America, Ukraine is winning. Send more money!!!!

[Boogieman]

“Prigozhin screaming on Telegram last night that the Russian Army was running away.”

Prigo’s a mercenary. Maybe he should start acting like one and see if Ukraine will make him a better offer.

[PGR88]

[Karl Spooner]