Battle For Bakhmut: Military Overview On February 20, 2023 (Video 18+)

Wagner fighters in Paraskovievka

On February 20, the Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed Russian control of the town of Paraskovievka located on the north-western outskirts of the city of Bakhmut (originally called Artyomovsk). The report of the Russian Defence Ministry indicates the end of the mop up operation in the settlement. Head of the Wagner PMC Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed control of Paraskovievka on February 17.

“The settlement of Paraskovievka is under full control of the units of the PMC “Wagner”. Despite the blockade of ammunition, despite heavy losses and bloody battles, the guys completely occupied the entire territory of Paraskovievka. Thank them! Heroes!” Prigozhin claimed.

Less than a week ago, Wagner fighters took control of the village of Krasna Gora located on the heights on the eastern outskirts of Paraskovievka and few days laters they encircled the town itself. As a result, the Ukrainian garrison in Paraskovievka was doomed. LINK

Wagner fighters in Krasna Gora

According to unconfirmed reports, the town was defended by the Ukrainian grouping of about 1,500 servicemen, including units of the 125th Territorial Defense Brigade, the 24th Mechanized and 57th Motorized Infantry Brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As a result of heavy battles, Ukrainian forces suffered heavy casualties and the so-called Northern Bakhmut grouping of the AFU was destroyed. 

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The video shows Wagner fighters at the railway station in the village of Paraskovievka near the Volodarsky Mine in the central part of Paraskovievka. The facility was captured in several hours. As a result of the Wagner’s assault, the grouping af about 100 Ukrainian servicemen was destroyed. About 40% of Ukrainian grouping deployed near the station were reportedly killed.

Wagner fighters did not stop their advance on the northwestern outskirts of Bakhmut. After they cut off the highway from Bakhmut to Slavyansk, battle fo the village of Berhovka located to the south-west of Paraskovievka began. Clashes are already ongoing in the north-eastern districts of the village. Russian forces took control of a strategically important position on a hill north of Berkhovka and Dubovo-Vasilevka, which will facilitate the storming and encirclement of the settlements.

In case of encirclement, units of the Ukrainian 61st Jaeger, 77th airmobile, 24th mechanized and 57th motorized infantry brigades will be reportedly destroyed. The Ukrainian military is urgently transferring units of the 17th tank Brigade to Berkhovka in an attempt to stop Russian advance.

Wagner forces have already reached the northern outskirts of Yagodnoe, where the fighting broke out on the northern outskirts of the village.

Any military supplies of the Ukrainian grouping in Bakhmut along the roads on the north-western outskirts were cut off.

The Ukrainian military attempt to transfer any reserves to Bakhmut across the frozen fields to the west of the city, but this area as well as all the roads leading to the city are very dangerous and are already under fire control of Russian forces.

Ukrainian servicemen evacuate two wounded soldiers in the Bakhmut region:

In the city of Bakhmut, Wagner fighters are breaking through Ukrainian defences in the northed districts. In recent days, they reportedly enlarged their zone of control near the Stupka railway station. In the eastern districts of the city, Wagner assault groups are advancing along Vatutina street. They took control of several districts and reached the Rostovskoe cemetery. In the southern district of Bakhmut, Wagner fighters continue fighting in the Budenovka district.

To the south of Bakhmut, Ukrainian forces have managed to push Wagner fighters back from their positions along the Bakhmut-Konstantinovka highway. Fighting is ongoing near the road.

The Ukrainian military reportedly launched successful counter offensive operation amid the lack of military supplies to the Wagner units. LINK. However, the military logistics problems did not stop Wagner fighters from their advance in other areas.

On February 20, head of the Wagner PMC claimed that the issue of military supplies was yet to be resolved. His fighters continue their assault despite any obstacles.

Ukrainian military sources confirm their defeat on the north-western outskirts of the city, claiming that the AFU are suffering heavy losses in Bakhmut. “At best every tenth of the original combat personnel of the forces defending the city remained in Bakhmut.” Thus, only 10% of the initial grouping formed for the defense of Bakhmut is still fighting in the area. The Ukrainian military command is forces to transfer additional forces across the fields and along the roads which are heavily shelled by Russian artillery in an attempt to defend the city.

MORE ON THE TOPIC:

• Hundreds Of Civilians Held In Bakhmut
• Miracle In Sky Over Bakhmut: Wagner Pilots Landed Su-24M With Engine On Fire
• Battle For Bakhmut: Ukrainian Garrison In Paraskovievka Is Doomed