Chaos in war information in Bakhmut

Lots of conflicting information

While the two sides are at loggerheads on the front line, the information front around Bakhmut is also extremely chaotic with a series of contradictory statements. TASS news agency reported that the Russian Defense Ministry on May 11 denied information that the defense line around the city of Bakhmut, Donetsk region, was broken by Ukraine. Russia also said that its offensive forces are making progress west of Bakhmut with the support of the air force and artillery.

Quick view: Russian campaign day 442, information jamming counterattack on Bakhmut; Ukraine receives long-range missiles

Moscow’s statement came after Russian military bloggers wrote about Ukraine breaking through the defenses. Earlier on May 11, Ukraine also announced the destruction of the Russian stronghold in Bakhmut. According to Reuters, Russia’s denial of Ukraine’s advance shows that the campaign is really difficult for Moscow.

Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said in a Telegram post on May 12 that Ukrainian forces had not lost any positions in Bakhmut this week and had pushed back Russia by 2 kilometers. She also called on Ukrainians to ignore “disinformation” from Russia.

Hỗn loạn thông tin chiến sự ở Bakhmut - Ảnh 1. — Ukrainian servicemen sit on a tank on the way to Bakhmut on May 12.

Ms. Maliar also said that Ukraine is responding to Russian attacks with defensive and offensive operations, noting that these operations have been going on for months and are not part of a larger Ukrainian counteroffensive. In contrast, the head of the Russian Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said that Ukraine’s counteroffensive is already underway around Bakhmut and that Ukraine is partially successful.

UK provides long-range Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine, US "relieved"

CNN reported that Mr. Prigozhin, in a letter to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on May 12, continued to complain about the lack of ammunition that caused the defeat of this force in Bakhmut. However, Reuters quoted Colonel Roman Hryshchenko, commander of the 127th Territorial Defense Brigade of Ukraine, as saying that the situation on the ground showed that Wagner did not lack ammunition as claimed. Mr. Hryshchenko said Wagner's attacks were continuous, and the intensity of artillery and rocket 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 the planned counterattack. According to CNN, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace announced on May 11 that he had provided long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine. Mr. Wallace said Storm Shadow is a long-range precision strike weapon, helping Ukraine to defend against Russian attacks. Ukraine has pledged not to use this missile to attack internationally recognized Russian territory.

Amidst information about the situation in Bakhmut, Wagner leader says Ukraine is counterattacking

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

Poland's permanent representative to the European Union (EU) also said on Twitter on May 11 that the West had delivered 28 aircraft and 575 tanks to Ukraine. Earlier, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said that since Russia began its special military operation, EU countries had sent $17.45 billion worth of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine. The EU also completed the training of 17,000 soldiers and plans to deliver 1 million artillery shells before the end of the year.

US pledges to transfer enough weapons for Ukraine to counterattack

China sends special envoy to Ukraine

China's Foreign Ministry confirmed on May 12 that China's Special Representative for Eurasian Affairs Li Hui will visit Ukraine next week to promote peace talks. During his trip starting 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 campaign in February 2022.

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

Moldova separatist region wants Russia to increase the number of 'peacekeeping' forces

Source link