PMC Wagner remains Russia’s main striking force in Bakhmut – Cherevaty

"PMC Wagner terrorist organization remains the main striking force which assaults the Ukrainian positions in Bakhmut. But due to heavy losses, it has been reinforced by airborne units. In addition, the enemy involves snipers from special counter-terrorist services to strike our positions as much as possible," Serhiy Cherevaty, spokesman for the Eastern Group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said during the national news telethon, Ukrinform reports with reference to ArmyInform.

According to him, the enemy is gathering all available opportunities to inflict maximum damage on the Ukrainian defenders and capture the city. However, thanks to Ukraine’s powerful defense, the occupiers have been failing to capture the city for nine months already, Cherevaty stated.

He noted that the main goal – the utmost destruction of the enemy's military potential – has been achieved thanks to the successful defense operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

At the same time, Cherevaty stated that the enemy's "opportunities have decreased, but not as much as we would like."

The spokesman noted that a positional war continues in Bakhmut as the enemy destroys the infrastructure launching strikes with large artillery forces and has some success occasionally. At the same time, Ukrainian defenders counterattack and often win their positions back.

"Despite the involvement of powerful forces, the enemy does not succeed in the main thing – to completely capture the fortress city of Bakhmut," he said.

Cherevaty noted that the enemy uses various weapons, the entire arsenal available to the Russians, in this direction. Instead, the Armed Forces of Ukraine prepare for different scenarios and try to consider all kinds of damage that the enemy can inflict.

As reported, 25,600 Russian troops are fighting in the area of Bakhmut.