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UPDATE: Prigozhin said that the Ukrainian offensive has already begun, and Zelensky’s statement that it was allegedly delayed is an informational cover of the operations.
On May 11, there were additional reports that the AFU managed to take control of some areas in the Bakhmut region. Russian units of the 4th separate motorized strike brigade and the 374 separate motorized battalion lost some of their positions northwest of Kleshcheyevka. At the moment, the positions have been returned by Wagner fighters who came to the rescue.
The situation on the flanks of the Wagner PMCs, which were previously given under the control of the units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, remains tense.
The heavy battle for the city of Bakhmut continues. Wagner fighters are slightly advancing on the city streets despite the lack of ammunition supplies, while some units of the Russian Army failed to save control of some areas on the city outskirts; and Ukrainian forces continue claiming new victories.
On the evening of May 10, the head of Wagner PMC Yevgeny Prigozhin reported that his fighters took control of 50,000 square meters more in Bakhmut. During the day, they advanced 170 meters deep into the Ukrainian defence in the western district of the city. The Ukrainian military is still in control of an area of about 2.25 square kilometers.
In the north-western part of the city, Wagner fighters are advancing along Medvedev, Chernyakhovsky, Tolbukhin streets. They took control of the post office and are storming Ukrainian strongholds near the Olympic Reserve school.
From the city center, Russian forces are advancing along Yubileynaya street, capturing multi-storey apartment buildings floor by floor. The assault units of the Wagner PMC have also captured more Ukrainian positions near the intersection of Levanevsky and Defenders of Ukraine streets.
In the south of Bakhmut, Wagner fighters reached 1st Lesnaya Street. Clashes along Chaikovskoho street continue.
US-made HMMWV destroyed on the city streets:
Turkish-made Kirpi blown up in Bakhmut:
Ukrainian servicemen firing from the apartment building:
Meanwhile, on the city outskirts clashes continue between the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and units of the Russian Army. While loosing in the city, the AFU began launching counterattacks on the outskirts. On May 9, Ukrainian units managed to repel Russian forces from some of their positions along the road east of the village of Stupochki. The Ukrainian advance was stopped by Wagner fighters who were urgently deployed on the spot. LINK
On May 11, new Ukrainian advance was reported on the western outskirts of Bakhmut. According to the military reporter who close to Wagner, units of the 9th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation left the forest belt and fortified area near Khromovo. Retreating northward to a depth of 600 meters, they lost control of the section of the Chasov Yar—Bakhmut road.
As a result of another counterattack of the AFU, the same 9th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation also lost a section of the front up to 650 m wide and up to 600 m depth in the Bogdanovka area. Ukrainian advance was reportedly again stopped by the Wagner reserve units deployed on the spot.
Ukrainian servicemen kill wounded enemy in the trenches near Bakhmut:
Wounded fighter of the Nazi Azov battalion near Bakhmut:
Field roads used by the AFU:
Meanwhile, Ukrainian military reporters are celebrating their small victories, exaggeration that the AFU had reportedly captured up to 5 square kilometers, advancing deep into Russian defence. These claims were not confirmed and obviously do not correspond to reality.
Head of Wagner PMC Yevgeny Prigozhin has been constantly warning that the AFU had accumulated large forces necessary for offensive operations in the region. In their turn, Russian units need to be provided with all necessary equipment to defend their positions and Russian servicemen should get ready for the upcoming escalation on the flanks, where the AFU will try to deblokade Bakhmut and regain control of the ruins, destroying the remnants of the Wagner PMC.
