Bakhmut Falls Militarily as Wagner Tightens Its Grip on the Strategic City

Russian forces and Wagner have controlled more than 85% of the city of Bakhmut, while Ukrainian forces hold only 10% of the city, which has been experiencing continuous battles for over 8 months. The remaining 5% of the city constitutes a gray area or conflict zone, according to the latest reports on the ongoing battles in the area located in Donetsk province. According to recent reports, Wagner forces now control all administrative buildings in Bakhmut, as well as its industrial areas, specifically the Azom factory and steel processing plants. Russian forces have taken control of train station number 1, while Ukrainian forces hold the residential areas located in the western part of the semi-surrounded city. Reports also indicate that Russian forces and Wagner have taken control of the hospital area, as Ukrainian forces retreat to the west of the main railway, continuing to engage in intense combat against Russian forces. Meanwhile, Wagner is attempting to seize the village of Bohdanivka to the north of Bakhmut but has not yet succeeded. On another note, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu confirmed that the Russian armed forces "continue to liberate Donbas territory, and combat is developing systematically in the areas of Artemivsk (Bakhmut), Avdiivka, Lyman, and Kupiansk." Shoigu stated during a conference call with the command of the Russian armed forces that "concerning the course of the special military operation, the Russian armed forces continue to liberate Donbas territory, and the combat operation is developing systematically in the areas of Artemivsk (Bakhmut), Avdiivka, and the directions of Lyman and Kupiansk."