Ukrainian Forces Recapture Huge Swathes Of Ground From Russians Near Bakhmut

These images reportedly show Ukrainian forces recapturing four square kilometres from the Russians near Bakhmut after months of stalemate.

The images begin by showing Ukrainian forces pummelling Russian positions with what appears to be artillery while Ukrainian soldiers are seen waiting for the order to attack to be given before they begin to storm the enemy positions.

Ukrainian soldiers can be seen making their way across a decimated wooded area amidst explosions and gunfire.

One Ukrainian soldier can be seen tossing a grenade into a dugout before opening fire with his assault rifle.

More grenades are tossed as the Ukrainian soldiers appear to neutralise Russian soldiers.

Heavy exchanges of gunfire can then be heard, with POV footage showing Ukrainian soldiers alternating between assault rifle fire and tossing grenades.

The battle intensifies, with what appears to be one Russian soldier seen being shot and falling to the ground while trying to retreat before he is hit by an explosion.

The battle continues, with more grenades thrown and assault rifles being fired as the Ukrainian soldiers appear to take control of the Russian positions.

Ukrainian soldier throws grenade to his colleague among trees during counteroffensive in Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine in undated footage. The footage was released by the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade “Edelweiss” on Friday, May, 19, 2023. (10th Edelweiss Brigade/Newsflash)

The images were obtained from the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade ‘Edelweiss’ of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Friday, 19th May, along with a statement saying: “The result of the unit’s professional and coordinated actions was the recapture of about four square kilometres of territory near Bakhmut. This is a vivid example of ideal interaction in the middle of the unit and complete trust in the commander. You can watch the result on video.”

The images were also relayed by the ground forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 450th day of the full-scale war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 19th May 2023, Russia had lost about 201,760 personnel, 3,777 tanks, 7,377 armoured combat vehicles, 3,210 artillery units, 564 multiple launch rocket systems, 319 air defence systems, 308 warplanes, 294 helicopters, 2,769 drones, 1,011 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 6,083 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 419 units of special equipment.

Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.

Ukrainian air defence said they destroyed 19 drones and missiles out of 28 that were launched by Russia earlier today, on Friday morning.

A spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, Yuriy Ihnat, said: “Three Kalibr missiles launched from the Black Sea and 16 drones were shot down. Shelling continues on an almost daily basis.”

Ukrainian artillery shoots at Russian positions during Ukrainian counteroffensive in Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine in undated footage. The footage was released by the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade “Edelweiss” on Friday, May, 19, 2023. (10th Edelweiss Brigade/Newsflash)

And the governor of the Lviv region, Maksym Kozytskyi, said that five drones were shot down over his region overnight.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to attend the upcoming G7 meeting in Japan in person, with the United States and the rest of the G7 powers set to unveil new sanctions against Russia.

The United Kingdom has announced new sanctions ahead of the G7 meeting, with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak saying that the UK is banning imports of Russian diamonds, copper, nickel and aluminium.

The Pentagon has reportedly overestimated the value of some of the military equipment it has sent to Ukraine by about USD 3 billion. This could reportedly lead to further arms being sent to Kyiv.

British Defence Minister Ben Wallace has said that Ukraine has begun using long-range Storm Shadow missiles provided by the United Kingdom.

He added that there was no doubt that Russia had “the intent and the ability” to target Western underwater communication and energy lines.