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Dr Kimberly Kagan, president of the Institute for the Study of War, said that Kyiv’s armed forces had made “gains” in their counteroffensive. She said they had also “made it impossible for Moscow’s forces to move their combat power from Bakhmut.<\/p>\n
However, in a rare interview, the US-based thinktank’s chief said the counteroffensive was “slow going” because it was difficult to penetrate minefields. “We should not be expecting rapid movement into Russian defences yet,” she said.<\/p>\n
Speaking to Sky News, Dr Kagan said: “What we should be expecting to see and what we may see if the Ukrainians are able to continue and sustain their success is that as they make gains past the surovikin line [system of Russian defence fortifications] the Russians are less able to defend the lines.”<\/p>\n
She told presenter Mark Austin that Ukrainians had made gains “around the edges of Bakhmut” which the Russians spent a huge amount of combat power to defend. She continued: “The Ukrainians have sustained pressure on Bakhmut and made it impossible for the Russians to move their combat power from Bakhmut to other parts.”<\/p>\n
Don’t miss… <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n In its latest assessment, published on Wednesday (September 27), ISW said that Ukrainian forces had “marginally advanced” near Bakhmut and in western Zaporizhia Oblast.<\/p>\n The SIW said: “The situation near Verbove remains unclear as prominent Russian milbloggers have become noticeably less inclined to report in detail on Russian activity on this frontline or present bad news about Russian failures, while a discussion about reported Russian problems in this area has emerged on the fringes of the Russian information space.”<\/p>\n Regarding the Wagner group, ISW said: ” Ukrainian and Russian confirmations of some former Wagner Group personnel deploying to the Bakhmut area indicate that the Wagner Group is struggling to cohesively reform around new leadership.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n “A Russian milblogger claimed on September 26 that the appointment of a new overall Wagner commander triggered an exodus of Wagner personnel to Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD)-related structures.<\/p>\n “Ukrainian Eastern Group of Forces Spokesperson Captain Ilya Yevlash confirmed on September 27 the presence of 500 former Wagner personnel operating in MoD-related formations in the Bakhmut area and that these personnel are insufficient to change the situation on the battlefield.<\/p>\n “A Ukrainian drone operator reportedly operating in the Bakhmut area reported that Wagner personnel changed commanders and returned to the Bakhmut area to compensate for ongoing personnel shortages in the area.<\/p>\n “The piecemeal deployment of former Wagner personnel to any area of the frontline is unlikely to generate any significant strategic or even localized effects on the battlefield in Ukraine.”<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Meanwhile, Russia has accused NATO, the United States and Britain of helping plan and carry out last week\u2019s missile\u00a0strike on the Black Sea Fleet\u2019s headquarters, on the Crimean Peninsula.<\/p>\n Ukrainian intelligence services claimed the attack on Sevastopol killed Admiral Viktor Sokolov, Commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Sokolov apparently ‘came back from the dead – when video appeared to show him with officials at the Russian Defence Ministry.<\/p>\n The Kremlin and Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) have not directly confirmed that Sokolov is alive. They have, however, accused the West of being involved in the attack.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said: “There is no doubt that the attack had been planned in advance using Western intelligence means, NATO satellite assets and reconnaissance planes and was implemented upon the advice of American and British security agencies and in close coordination with them.\u201d<\/p>\n The Kremlin has repeatedly complained about the US and its NATO allies supplying weapons to Ukraine and providing it with intelligence information. Vladimir Putin’s regime claims the West has effectively become involved in the conflict by helping plan attacks on Russian facilities.<\/p>\n Unconfirmed news reports said Storm Shadow missiles provided to Ukraine by the U.K. and France were used in the attack on the headquarters. The UK’s Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Zakharova’s claims or reports that Storm Shadow missiles were used, reports The Independent.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, in his nightly address on Wednesday (September, 28), Zelensky “our warriors need more means of destroying Russian missiles, “Shaheds” and other combat drones, as well as Russian aircraft”. He told the nation: “I am grateful to everyone in the world who is already helping and is willing to ramp up assistance to our country with the means that can provide more protection against Russian terror.<\/p>\n “I held several preparatory meetings today,” he continued. “This month we are planning powerful measures to reinforce the state, and we are already working on the agenda of October and November. Ukraine will be stronger. Ukraine will have more capabilities to defend itself.”<\/p>\n
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