Bakhmut in focus; US bolsters Ukraine

The Ukrainian military said on May 21 that the situation in the eastern city of Bakhmut was "extremely difficult", but they still held "some buildings" and fortifications in the southwest of the city, according to The Kyiv Independent .

In comments on Suspilne television, spokesman for Ukraine's Eastern Operations Command Serhiy Cherevaty said that Russian forces had not yet fully captured Bakhmut and that the city had been severely damaged after months of fierce fighting and would not bring "any military or political benefits" to Russia.

In addition, Oleksandr Syrskyi, a top Ukrainian general, said that his country's forces controlled an "insignificant" part of Bakhmut, but that such control would be enough to enter the city if the situation changed, according to Reuters.

Ukrainian servicemen fire a BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket system at Russian soldiers near Bakhmut on May 19.

Also on May 21, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar, who reported on Ukrainian advances in the northern and southern suburbs of Bakhmut over the past week, said that Ukrainian forces had partially surrounded Russian troops inside the city.

Ms. Maliar also said that Ukrainian forces continued to advance along the flanks of Bakhmut, forcing the Russian military to lose some positions. Ms. Maliar also said that Ukrainian forces still controlled infrastructure and industry as well as the private sector in Bakhmut’s Litak district in the southwest of the city.

Ukraine's claim that it still controls small parts of Bakhmut comes a day after Russia's Defense Ministry and private military company Wagner said they had taken full control of the city.

Meanwhile, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said on the evening of May 21 that Russian aircraft and artillery continued to attack Ukrainian forces in the Bakhmut area, according to TASS News Agency. Mr. Konashenkov also said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had lost up to 100 soldiers and foreign mercenaries in one day in Bakhmut.

According to Mr. Konashenkov, Russian forces destroyed a road bridge near the village of Krasnoye, which was used by the Ukrainian army to transfer reinforcements to Bakhmut.

See more : What did President Zelensky say about the current situation of Bakhmut?

Russia intercepts HIMARS rockets, Storm Shadow?

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov announced on the evening of May 21 that in the previous 24 hours, Russian Air Defense Forces had intercepted 15 rockets launched from Ukraine's High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), Uragan multiple launch rocket system and Storm Shadow missiles, according to TASS News Agency.

According to Mr. Konashenkov, nine Ukrainian drones were destroyed in several areas of eastern and southern Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Air Force announced on May 21 that it had shot down four Shahed-136/131 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that Russia had launched at Ukraine overnight. The Ukrainian Air Force did not disclose further information about the overnight attack, only saying that Russian forces had launched the UAVs "in an easterly direction."

See more : War Day 439: Ukraine hit by UAV rain, Russia tightens security before the ceremony

Will Storm Shadow missile replace HIMARS to 'dominate' the battlefield situation in Ukraine?

According to experts, the Storm Shadow missiles that Britain pledged to send to Ukraine could pose logistical and combat challenges for Russia.

According to Business Insider , Russian forces have adapted to the "game-changing" weapons that Ukraine has brought to the battlefield, such as the US-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).

However, military experts say the Storm Shadow missiles, which Britain pledged to send to Ukraine earlier this month, could cause new logistical problems for Russia, and significantly enhance Kyiv's long-range strike capabilities, Breaking Defense reported.

See more : Will British missiles replace US HIMARS to 'dominate' the battlefield situation in Ukraine?

Biden sends new message to Putin?

After the Russian Defense Ministry announced complete control of Bakhmut, US President Joe Biden on May 21 announced a new military aid package worth $375 million for Ukraine, including ammunition, armored vehicles and training, according to Reuters.

In addition, after talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Japan on May 21, President Biden declared that Ukraine's supporters "will not waver" and Russian President Vladimir Putin "will not break our resolve like he thinks he can," according to AFP.

President Zelensky arrived in Japan after a breakthrough in his long-running campaign to win Washington's approval for allies to supply US-made fighter jets, including F-16s.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Joe Biden at the G7 Summit in Japan on May 21

US officials have been reluctant to provide F-16s to Ukraine, citing the cost and time required for training, as well as the risk of further escalation of the conflict. However, President Biden said he had received “strong assurances from Zelensky that Ukraine would not use those aircraft to enter Russian territory.”

For his part, Mr. Zelensky expressed confidence that Kyiv would receive F-16s from the West, but was uncertain about the quantity.

Previously, TASS news agency quoted Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko on May 20 warning that Western countries would face "great risks" if they provided F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.

See more : US 'green light' to send F-16 to Ukraine?

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