Moscow’s forces flee Bakhmut
RUSSIAN troops reportedly fled yesterday as Ukrainian forces made more headway in the bloody battle for Bakhmut.
Kyiv and Moscow’s Wagner mercenary allies admitted the invaders had been retreating around the outskirts of the city – which has been dubbed “the meat grinder”.
The breakthrough news from Ukraine’s east came as Volodymyr Zelensky’s army prepare for its biggest major offensive in months.
Yesterday, their president was at the Arab League Summit in Saudi Arabia to canvas support. There he accused some leaders of “turning a blind eye” to Russia’s invasion.
In Bakhmut, Kremlin troops bombarded access roads in an attempt to slow the Ukrainian advance.
Kyiv military spokesman Serhiy Cherevatyi said: “Despite the fact that our units do not have an advantage in equipment and personnel, they have continued to advance.” He claimed they made most progress on the flanks, moving forward by more than a mile. Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin insisted his own troops were advancing inside the city but that Russian regulars had abandoned ground to the north and south. Their retreat could lead to his men being encircled on all sides of the city, 60 miles north of Donetsk. Prigozhin said: “Unfortunately, units of the Russian Defence Ministry have withdrawn up to 570m to the north of Bakhmut, exposing our flanks. “I am appealing to the top leadership of the Ministry of Defence – publicly, because my letters are not being read. Please do not give up the flanks.” Elsewhere, Ukraine claimed it had destroyed 19 drones and missiles out of 28 launched towards it from the Black Sea. Military spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said: “Three Kalibr missiles launched from the Black Sea and 16 drones were shot down.”