Ukraine, Russia, Bakhmut and Melitopol: latest news

More than 10 powerful explosions were heard in the northern part of Melitopol, a Russian-occupied Ukrainian city. The Ukrainian mayor in exile, Ivan Fedorov, reported this on Telegram, which relaunched Ukrinform.

Russian losses – According to Kiev, Russia has already lost about 158 ​​thousand soldiers in Ukraine. This was reported on Facebook by the General Staff of the Armed Forces in Kiev, citing Ukrinform. Between February 24, 2022 and March 11, 2023, losses incurred by the Russians in combat also included – according to the same source – 3,458 tanks, 6,762 armored fighting vehicles, 2,483 artillery systems, 493 multiple launch anti-aircraft missiles, and 257 anti-aircraft systems. , 304 aircraft, 289 helicopters, 5344 vehicles and fuel tanks, 18 ships / warships, 2108 drones. In addition, 907 cruise missiles were shot down.

007 GB – In the city of Bakhmut, the front line has become a “neutralization zone” that prevents the mercenaries of the Wagner Group from advancing westward. However, Ukrainian forces remain vulnerable to constant Russian attempts to outflank its defense lines from the north and south. This was indicated by the British intelligence services in the latest report on the fighting situation in Ukraine, which was revealed by the Ministry of Defense in London.

Over the past four days, the forces of the Wagner Group have taken control of most of the eastern sector of Bakhmut, Donbass. And in the center of the city, the Pakhmutka River now marks the front line. Ukrainian forces control the western part of the city and have demolished the main bridges over the river, which flows from north to south through a 200-800 meter wide strip of open land between built-up areas.

“Ukrainian units – the report continues – can fire from fortified buildings to the west, and this area has become a killing zone, which likely makes things very difficult for the Wagner Group forces as they try to continue their frontal attack to the west. However, Ukrainian forces and their supply lines from the west remain Vulnerable to constant Russian attempts to outflank the defenders from the north and south.”