[キーウ ３１日 ロイター] – On the 31st, Russia claimed to have taken control of Blagodatnoye, a settlement near Bakhmut, a key town in Donetsk Oblast, eastern Ukraine, where fierce fighting continued.
The Ukrainian side did not comment, and Reuters could not confirm the situation on the ground.
The head of the Russian private military company Wagner claimed three days ago that Blagodatnoye was subdued by its own fighters. The Ukrainian side said it had been repulsed.
Blagodatnoye is located about five kilometers north of Bakhmut, on the main road leading to Bakhmut. Russia’s Defense Ministry said it had captured the city with air support.
On the same day, the Ukrainian military said it had repelled a Russian attack on the road leading to Bakhmut and maintained a vital supply line.
Ukrainian military spokesman Cherevaty said Russia had failed to block the road from Chashyar to Bakhmut, and that the road used for supply was not blocked, and Ukrainian forces in Bakhmut were supplied with everything they needed. said that But he said Russia would continue to make Bakhmut the main focus of its attacks.
Meanwhile, a large Russian force this week embarked on an offensive against Ugledal, south of the Eastern Front. Russian officials say they have secured a foothold there, but Ukraine says it has largely repelled the attack.
The British Ministry of Defense said the Russian forces in Ugledal were larger than a brigade, which usually consisted of several thousand men, and that it could be aimed at diverting Ukrainian forces from Bakhmut.
“In view of the systematic shelling of cities on the front lines, as well as the stockpile of weapons, the redeployment of troops and the additional forced mobilization, Russia is not ready for peace,” said Ukrainian presidential adviser Podlyak. Posted on Twitter. “These moves are a direct sign of serious escalation,” he said, calling for more weapons in Ukraine.
