Source: Syrsky reported to Zelensky about the loss of control over the main fortified area in Bakhmut

Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky reported to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky that the military had lost control over the main fortified area in Bakhmut, the Resident Telegram channel reports, citing a source in Zelensky’s Office.

The Ukrainian general noted that Russian forces still had to clear a few private sector blocks and the Samolet area. At the same time, Syrsky insists on continuing the implementation of his plan, covering the city on the flanks, despite the losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Earlier, the German publication Bild reported that several days or even hours were left before the complete capture of Bakhmut, the city is already 99% controlled by the Russian Federation.

“The Ukrainian military now owns only one side of the city’s westernmost street. Behind it are several more garages, and then two kilometers of open field to the nearest Ukrainian village called Ivanovskoye,” the article says.

The only hope, the publication reported, is that the Armed Forces of Ukraine will still be able to advance into the flanks of the Wagner PMC to the south and north of the city. If Syrsky’s plan fails, the city called Zelensky a fortress will fall.

The head of the Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, officially announced that Bakhmut had not yet been taken. According to him, now the hardest battles are going on for the Samolet quarter, so tomorrow and the day after tomorrow the city is unlikely to be completely taken.

He explained that due to the situation, which allowed the Armed Forces of Ukraine to re-use the two roads of Chasov Yar-Ivanovskoye (Red), there is now a counter battle in Bakhmut. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are transferring reserves to the city, which are being met by PMC attack aircraft.