Information chaos surrounding the fighting in Bakhmut.

There is conflicting information.

While the two sides are locked in a stalemate on the front lines, the information landscape surrounding Bakhmut is also in utter chaos with a series of contradictory statements. The TASS news agency reported on May 11th that the Russian Ministry of Defense denied reports that Ukraine had breached the defensive lines around the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region. Russia also stated that its attacking forces were making progress west of Bakhmut with the support of air and artillery.

Quick overview: Russian Operation Day 442, information jamming during counterattack in Bakhmut; Ukraine receives long-range missiles.

Moscow's statement came after Russian military bloggers wrote about Ukraine breaking through defenses. Earlier on May 11, Ukraine also announced it had breached a Russian position in Bakhmut. According to Reuters, Russia's denial of Ukraine's advance shows that the campaign is proving to be very difficult for Moscow.

Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar stated in a Telegram post on May 12th that Ukrainian forces did not lose a single position in Bakhmut this week and even pushed back Russia by 2 km. Maliar also urged Ukrainians to ignore "misinformation" being spread by Russia.

Ukrainian soldiers sit on a tank en route to Bakhmut on May 12.

Maliar also stated that Ukraine is responding to Russian attacks with defensive and counter-offensive operations, noting that these have been ongoing for months and are not part of a larger Ukrainian counter-offensive campaign. In contrast, Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Russian Wagner mercenary group, said that Ukraine's counter-offensive has actually been taking place around Bakhmut and that Ukraine is achieving partial success.

The UK provided Ukraine with Storm Shadow long-range missiles, much to the US's relief.

CNN reported that in a letter to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on May 12, Prigozhin continued to complain about the ammunition shortage that had caused the failures of his forces in Bakhmut. However, Reuters quoted Colonel Roman Hryshchenko, commander of Ukraine's 127th Territorial Defense Brigade, as saying that the situation on the ground showed that Wagner was not short of ammunition as claimed. Hryshchenko said Wagner was attacking continuously, and the intensity of shelling and missile fire had even increased in recent days.

Ukraine receives more weapons.

Western weapons are also continuing to be delivered to Ukraine so that the country can prepare for its planned counterattack. According to CNN, British Defence Minister Ben Wallace announced on May 11th that he had supplied Ukraine with Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles. Wallace stated that the Storm Shadow is a long-range precision strike weapon, giving Ukraine the capability to defend itself against Russian attacks. Ukraine has pledged not to use these missiles to attack internationally recognized Russian territory.

Misinformation regarding the situation in Bakhmut has led Wagner leaders to say Ukraine is counterattacking.

This decision makes Britain the first country to supply Ukraine with long-range missiles. The Storm Shadow, launched from fighter jets, has a range of approximately 250 km. To date, the longest-range missile supplied to Ukraine by the West has been the Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB), with a range of about 150 km. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on May 11th protested Britain's action and warned that Russia would respond accordingly.

Poland's Permanent Representative to the European Union (EU) also stated on Twitter on May 11th that the West had handed over 28 aircraft and 575 tanks to Ukraine. Earlier, EU High Commissioner for Foreign Policy and Security Josep Borrell announced that since Russia began its special military operation, EU countries have sent weapons and ammunition worth $17.45 billion to Ukraine. The EU has also completed training 17,000 soldiers and plans to transport 1 million rounds of artillery shells before the end of this year.

The US has pledged to deliver enough weapons for Ukraine to launch a counterattack.

China sends special envoy to Ukraine.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed on May 12 that Li Hui, China's Special Representative for Eurasian Affairs, will travel to Ukraine next week to promote peace talks. During his trip, which begins on May 15, Li will visit Ukraine, Poland, France, Germany, and Russia. This will be the highest-ranking Chinese government official to visit Ukraine since Russia began its military operation in February 2022.

"The visit of the Chinese special envoy to the relevant countries is another testament to China's commitment to promoting peace and negotiations," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin on May 12. Earlier, during a phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in April, Xi said China would send representatives to the region.

The breakaway region of Moldova wants Russia to increase the number of 'peacekeeping' troops.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/hon-loan-thong-tin-chien-su-o-bakhmut-185230512123054471.htm