Igor Strelkov writes regarding the Ukrainian offensive in the Artyomovsk (Bakhmut) sector:

Poddubny writes about the beginning of a counterattack by the AFU near Bakhmut. At the same time he reports a breakthrough of our positions near Berkhovka and Yagodnoye, as well as the fact that the enemy has displaced our troops near Kleshcheevka.

Even one glance at the map is enough to understand that so far we are talking about local (although successful) counterattacks, aimed at "squeezing the ring" previously tightened by Wagner around the western part of Bakhmut. There can be no talk of any serious offensive - the tasks that the AFU has performed and can continue to perform at the specified sites are purely tactical.

I have no information about the (alleged) "breakthrough of the AFU to Soledar" yet.

[GB: I find the part omitted to be irrelevant noise, in the circumstances. The battle will show who is right and who is wrong.]

I remain confident that if the enemy is going to launch a serious strike at Bakhmut, it will only be a secondary one.

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The goal of this initial phase of the Ukrainian offensive is still to find the weak spots in the Russian armour. The main event will not begin in earnest until we see:

— a real and sustained artillery barrage against the Russian positions across the entire (or most) of the frontline;
— long-range missile and MLRS strikes at the rear of the Russian groupings, at depots, and command and communications infrastructure;
— the deployment in significant numbers of the stored-up drone arsenal; and,
— massive information warfare fud about Russian troops allegedly leaving positions.

This is still the first stage. Nothing has happened so far that gives cause for immediate concern. Even minor retreats and withdrawals would mean very little. Any such maneuvers will generally have been prepared in advance to lure the Ukrainian forces into artillery fire bags.

For those inclined to panic, I would recommend taking a break from media for a couple of days, then return to watch history happen. Those of hardier constitution are welcome to follow our reports.

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Most active editors of Russian Wikipedia just so happen to have IP addresses in Ukraine....

A British RC-135W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft was spotted over the Black Sea

The plane is accompanied by two Eurofighter Typhoon FGR fighters.4 conducts reconnaissance of the Crimea. He was spotted 150 kilometers southwest of Sevastopol.

#source
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Ukrainian trans T-62, this one identifies as a Leopard

Hopefully didn't destroy this one

🇷🇺⚔️🇺🇦The units of the Wagner PMCs have advanced up to 400 meters today,132 000 square meters are occupied.

Exactly 2 square kilometers of Bakhmut remain under enemy control.

From the right flank, the units of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation have lost more territories, the number of square kilometers is being specified.

❗️Military expert Vladislav Shurygin announced the preparation of the Russian Federation for a "big European war". In this regard, there is a replenishment of Russian arsenals in the Western direction.

It is not known whether it will take place in the end or not, but preparations are underway, he said on the air of the radio station Moscow Speaks.

“Everyone understands that the war, quite possibly, will not end with Ukraine alone. There is a replenishment of arsenals in the western direction. That is, we have now moved into the stage of preparation for a major European war. Whether it will happen or not is an open question. But the fact that we should be ready for it is not a question. We will not be ready, then it will definitely take place. So it's very difficult here."

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I hope you pay for this Sunak.

https://dzen.ru/news/story/Mash_VSU_nanesli_udar_poLugansku_britanskimi_raketami_Storm_Shadow--d644f249dd08d9aa85513a1e9f8bd51a?persistent_id=2717047015&issue_tld=ru