Russian private military force Wagner fights near Bakhmut (Photo: Sputnik).
Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said on April 22 that in the past 24 hours, the country's forces have gained control of three districts in the western region of Artyomovsk city (Ukraine calls it Bakhmut).
According to Mr. Konashenkov, Russian paratroopers held back Ukrainian units on both flanks and supported the main units attacking Bakhmut.
Russian Aerospace Forces fighter jets have carried out six sorties to support assault units fighting for control of Bakhmut, the official said.
"In total, aircraft carried out six missions to support the attacking units and artillery opened fire 62 times," he said.
In addition, according to Mr. Konashenkov, Russian artillery and combat aviation attacked Ukrainian units in the settlements of Bogdanovka and Nikolayevka in Donetsk.
The Russian Defense Ministry also announced the destruction of an ammunition depot of the 95th Ukrainian airborne brigade near the village of Serebryanka in Donetsk, as well as a missile and artillery ammunition depot near the village of Konstantinovka.
According to Mr. Konashenkov, Russia has eliminated 255 Ukrainian soldiers in the Donetsk region over the past day, along with 1 infantry fighting vehicle, 6 armored fighting vehicles, 1 Grad multiple launch rocket system, as well as two D-20 guns.
Russian air defense forces intercepted 10 HIMARS rockets and artillery shells from the Uragan fire system, 5 Ukrainian drones in Novokrasnyanka, Golikovo, Rubezhnoye of the Lugansk region, Staromlynovka in the Donetsk region.
Earlier, the advisor to the leader of the separatist Donetsk region, Mr. Yan Gagin, said that Russia had controlled 90% of the area of Bakhmut. According to him, Russia had advanced to the Artyomovsk - Chasov Yar highway, blocking Ukraine's supply route in this direction and encircling the enemy.
However, Ukraine has not yet signaled that it will withdraw from Bakhmut. Ukraine fears that if it loses Bakhmut, Russia will advance deeper into Donetsk, so it is determined to hold on until the end. Kiev also believes that it is wearing down Russia’s strongest forces in Bakhmut to gain an advantage when Ukraine launches a large-scale counterattack in the coming time.
Bakhmut has witnessed fierce fighting between Russia and Ukraine in the past few months. Both sides have poured large resources including weapons and soldiers into this fiery city and both have suffered heavy losses.
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