Wagner PMC group seizes part of Bakhmut

Over the past four days, Wagner Group forces have been able to advance into the eastern half of the town of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region and seize new territory. The Bakhmutka River now runs along the front line in the centre of the town. This was reported by the UK Ministry of Defence on Twitter.

According to the report, the western part of the city remains under the control of Ukrainian forces.

The Russians are prevented from advancing further by a destroyed bridge over the river.

The Ukrainians have destroyed key bridges across the river flowing from north to south across a 200-800m wide strip of open space between buildings, the intelligence report says.

Britain's Defence Ministry points out that since Ukrainian units can fire from fortified buildings in the west, the area has become a war zone, which is likely to make it difficult for Wagner forces to advance westwards.

At the same time, they note that the situation remains dire. Ukrainian forces and their supply lines in the west remain vulnerable to Russia's ongoing attempts to bypass the defenders from the north and south.