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Contradictions…
When looking at Russian sources, it depends on who the audience is for the kind of story you get. Let’s start with a few facts. Ukraine went on a counter-offensive around Backhmut. We know there was some advance. At this point, the question is whether this is still part of shaping operations before the offensive or the beginning of it.
These two posts appeared on Russian Telegram within hours. They also came out after the Ministry of Defense admitted a limited withdrawal. So first, your liberal channel:
Ukrainian reconnaissance in force led to the retreat of Russian forces. The entire Bakhmut-Soledar group was under the threat of encirclement.
The Ministry of Defense recognized the large-scale attacks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the area of Bakhmut and Soledar and announced “the occupation of the line, taking into account the favorable conditions of the Berkhovsky reservoir” (near Bakhmut). Yevgeny Prigozhin called it “flight, not regrouping.” Pro-government political scientist Sergei Markov described the retreat at Soledar as “dramatic.”
The current attacks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to the north and south of Bakhmut (see map) are reconnaissance in force and only preparation for a large-scale offensive, but these actions have also led to significant success, Colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the reserve Roman Svitan told…
