Russia has deployed 50,000 troops in Bakhmut direction – Eastern Forces Group spokesperson
Russian command has deployed over 50,000 troops in the Bakhmut front, facing fewer Ukrainian forces pushing from the south, says the Eastern Forces Group spokesperson Illia Yevlash.
As Ukrainian assault troops liberated the southern town of Andriivka and are close to recapturing Klishchiivka, Russia attempts to hold its positions by multiplying the number of its forces.
In the Bakhmut direction, there are 52,000 Russian troops and approximately 274 tanks, over a thousand armored vehicles, 150 artillery systems and a little over 120 multiple rocket launchers, emphasized Yevlash.
Bakhmut has been the epicenter of hostilities in eastern Ukraine for many months. Since the end of May, Ukrainian troops have intensified offensive actions on the flanks of the nearly destroyed town.
The commander of the Land Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi explained earlier that Ukrainian troops could take Bakhmut into an operational encirclement, which will make it impossible for the occupiers to stay in the city.
The Ukrainian command has announced an advance south of Bakhmut. Military experts believe that the troops will soon liberate Klishchiiivka, slowly destroying the well-fortified defenses.