A senior official in Kyiv confirmed today, Saturday, that "Russian forces have temporarily reduced the intensity of their attacks on the besieged city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, in order to reorganize and strengthen their capabilities." Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar stated in a press release that "Russian forces continue to attack, but the overall activity of operations has decreased."
She continued, "There have been no active battles yesterday and today, either in the city or its outskirts," adding that "instead, Russian forces are shelling the suburbs and the roads leading to Bakhmut."
She noted, "The decrease in the enemy's offensive activity is due to the fact that the forces are being changed and reorganized, and the enemy is trying to enhance its capabilities."
Maliar clarified that "Ukrainian forces are 'steadily' controlling the elevated areas overlooking Bakhmut from the north and south, in addition to part of the city's suburbs. However, they have not advanced in the past two days in order to focus on other tasks."
The Russian private military group "Wagner" began handing over its positions to regular Russian forces last week after announcing its complete control over Bakhmut following the longest and bloodiest battles of the war.
