The situation in the Ukrainian SMO on May 19 2023

Bakhmut Endgame | Final Days Of The Battle | Bakhmut Front Update 19/05/23

Russian artillery fired on buildings in devastated Bakhmut

Fall of Citadel [19 May 2023]

‘Very Difficult To Fight Russia’: Ukraine’s big admission as Bakhmut battle gets intense

Evgeny Prigozhin on the situation in Bakhmut:

Heavy fighting, the enemy is pulling up reserves, the fighters of the Wagner PMC advanced up to 500 meters, 0.6 sq. km of territory remained under the Ukronazis.

Fighting for Artemоvsk flanks: Russian army destroys the headquarters with officers of Edelweiss brigade.

The first obituaries appear after a strike on the enemy’s field headquarters: the commander of the 8th battalion of the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade of the AFU Edelweiss, Colonel Golovatyuk, has been eliminated. 

The situation in Artyomovsk (Bakhmut) on May 19: analysis of the military chronicle
The “Orchestra” gradually establishes physical control over the last quarters of the city, but the resistance of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is not being suppressed everywhere.
Where has Wagner PMC progressed in Artyomovsk?

The assault teams have completed the clearing of the Domino fortified area and are also scouring the nest for small groups of the Ukrainian Armed Forces remaining in the city.
Adjacent to the Khromov districts of Artyomovsk from the side of the garage cooperative and the school of the Olympic reserve. Bubki is currently fortified with reserves of the “orchestra”, there are practically no shooting battles in this area.
Where are the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Artyomovsk now?

 After the fall of Domino, the garrison of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Artyomovsk area was isolated into three groups. The remnants of the 1st large group with heavy losses retreated from the “Domino” to the Khromov area. At present, units of the 101st and 127th territorial defense brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the remnants of the 2nd mechanized battalion of the 93rd Kholodny Yar brigade and some national battalions, most of which were destroyed in urban battles, are concentrated there.
The remnants of the second group retreated from Domino to the fields and forests near Artyomovsk – units of the 60th specialized brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as the 242nd battalion of the 241st brigade of troops
The third group occupies houses at the intersection of Tchaikovsky and Korsunsky streets. There, units of the 80th special operations brigade and the motorized rifle battalion of the 93rd Kholodny Yar brigade occupy about 15-20 buildings and use them as firing points.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine are trying to transfer reserves to this area, but their quality has significantly declined and their numbers have decreased both due to heavy losses from Russian artillery fire and due to fighting on the northern and southern flanks around Artyomovsk.
The territory occupied by the 3rd Group of Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Samolet district in the south-western part of the city is about 0.5 sq m. km⚡️⚡️⚡️

By @Polk105  It seems that Zaluzhny was really killed – the Kiev regime has not been able to find the missing commander for 10 days

The loss of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine can no longer be justified by the “tense situation at the front.”

Recall the chronology of this disappearance. The first rumors about the elimination of Zaluzhny appeared after reports of the destruction of the headquarters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Pavlograd, against which the Russian Armed Forces delivered massive strikes for two days in a row – on May 7 and 8.

Indirect confirmation of this theory was Zaluzhny’s refusal to participate in a videoconference with the NATO command on May 10, allegedly due to a “heavy workload.” But before, the Ukrainian commander-in-chief never denied himself the pleasure of “shining his face” at such events.

In Kiev, they understand that the death of a media-hyped military leader can disrupt a long-planned offensive, and they are trying with all their might to fend off rumors that have spread.

First, a series of shots were thrown in, in which the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in uniform and sneakers posed for photographers at a wedding – this, apparently, is his “heavy workload”, which prevented him from speaking at a video conference with NATO.

But almost immediately it became known that the photos were old. Zelensky also denied the deaths of Zaluzhny and Syrsky. He repeatedly stated that he had communicated with them, but did not provide any specifics or evidence.

On May 12, a large interview with Zaluzhny was posted, but, as a rule, such materials are prepared much in advance.

For example, Budanov’s interview with Yahoo News was recorded two weeks before the release.

No more new photos of Zaluzhny have been published since then, and the photographs of the head of the ukrovermacht bathing in the Mediterranean Sea that are now circulating have not yet been accurately verified.

For Kiev, the “disappearance” of Zaluzhny is a problem. Even in the most difficult moments, the commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine regularly demonstrated that he was alive and controlled the course of hostilities.

While the public can be reassured by old photos and videos, as well as Zelensky’s “honest word”, but sooner or later even the most zombified Ukrainians will have questions.

Prigozhin’s comment on the disappearance of the Commander – in – Chief of the AFU Zaluzhny:

- On May 10-11-12, Zaluzhny was in the range of Wagner’s artillery;
- At the same time, a number of “events” were held;
- It is still unclear how successful they are;
- The result of the «events» related to Tantsyura, held on May 2, is also unknown. 

The enemy continues to attack, trying to break through the flanks of Bakhmut

In the Kleshcheevka-Kurdyumovka area, the enemy sent an SRG to Russian positions, and the special group was destroyed.

After that, the armored group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine launched an attack on the stronghold of the BARS and units of the RF Armed Forces.

The enemy tried to cross the water channel but was met with fire.

During the battle, ATGM missiles hit 3 armored vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

As a result, BARS and infantry of the RF Armed Forces repelled an attempt to break through

Bakhmut has fallen!” – the militants of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are demoralized and say goodbye to their loved ones

Ukrainian militants began to record panic videos, where they had already come to terms with the defeat and loss of the city. One of the soldiers in the video under fire from the PMC “Wagner” says that “Bakhmut fell” and asks “not to remember dashingly.”

A couple of hours before that, E. Prigozhin said that the Armed Forces of Ukraine had only 0.6 square kilometers left on the southwestern outskirts of the city, and the Wagner PMC was already close to fulfilling its task of taking this enemy citadel.

Zelensky instructed General Syrsky to keep at least one house in Bakhmut of any value until the end of the G7 summit.

The Office of the President has now thrown colossal forces into the Bakhmut meat grinder.

Every day, PMCs massively cover the last stronghold of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the outskirts of the city and nearby with incendiary shells, but new and new best forces are sent there. These attacks are necessary in order to burn any equipment that the APU hides behind the walls of houses. Usual tactic.

There is hell every day, any soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who miraculously survives there will confirm this to you.

But Bakhmut must be kept for political purposes and good publicity before Ze meets Biden and the others in Japan.

Zelensky also wants to convince his partners that the offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine around Bakhmut is the beginning of the very promised grand offensive that everyone is waiting for. We wrote about it.
We also pointed out that each new kilometer in the fields around Bakhmut is given to the Armed Forces of Ukraine with great value, because it is very difficult to attack in open areas. Losses in such cases are very high.

We are watching … the meat grinder continues!

It’s going to be absolute hell in the last battle for Bakhmut. The remaining Ukrainians have no other choice but to surrender or die, retreat is nigh impossible for any of them now, but likely, most of them will choose to fight to the death, for Zelenksey and the west, well so be it then, Wagner want to finish this tonight and you are not going to stop them.

 @brussinf report from the western regions of Bakhmut

The fighting is going on for the fortified area of the AFU in the Airplane area – the last stronghold of the enemy in the city. Everything that can fly flies from us there. At the same time, enemy artillery and mortars also continue to work on our positions.

Promotion is very difficult. Despite everything, the AFU continue to resist fiercely. The fighters say a lot of Polish and Turkish mercenaries.

Nevertheless, PMC “Wagner” definitely reached the final stage of the battle for Bakhmut. Unraveling very soon.

#Soledar – Exclusive Report on a Breakthrough Attempt of the Fiends⚡️

Today there is a very turbulent situation in #Soledar, while we were heading there, we came under fire several times.

I want to tell you about the Terek Brigade (https://t.me/AtamanDyakonov) which includes a detachment of Siberian Cossacks.

In #Soledar itself and behind it there is a very hilly terrain, the enemy tried to pass through the lowlands on tanks under the cover of infantry fighting vehicles and enemy personnel, this was done in order to break the line of defence between the two units, as well as after a probable breakthrough to pull up their tank units and push us into the city itself, but our Siberian Cossacks did not feeling sorry for themselves, they destroyed 2 tanks, 1 BMP, and enemy personnel.

The battle itself lasted almost 12 hours, there were losses and wounded, but with all these events, these guys not only defeated the enemy, but also managed to break through the enemy’s defence line and take their positions.

Military Correspondent Lisitsyn

Situation in the #Kupyansk Sector until 16:00 on 19 May 2023⚡️

After losing control of an important tactical height to the west of #Masyutovka, the AFU is trying to contract. Ukrainian formations are actively using mortars and copters with a grenade drop system to attack the positions of the RF Armed Forces.

During the past day, separate battles have been fought on the line of contact southwest of Liman 1, where the forces of the AFU’s 40th Separate Rifle Battalion were stationed.

Fighters of the RF Armed Forces respond with heavy artillery fire. In #Tishenkovka, a warehouse was destroyed at the time of unloading ammunition for 14th Mechanized Brigade. As a result of the explosion, 14 militants of Ukrainian formations were liquidated.

Now the Ukrainian headquarters is waiting for the activation of the Russian army from #Tavolzhanka. To strengthen its borders, the enemy has transferred assault groups of 40th Separate Composite Battalion to #Dvurechnaya and #Novomlynsk.

Ukrainian formations continue mass shelling of the border area in the Belgorod region.

In the Shebekinsky urban district, an air defense crew shot down a Ukrainian drone. According to preliminary data, there are no casualties or destruction.

The village of Stary Khutor, Valuysky district, also came under the shelling of the AFU . The projectile damaged one residential building and a power line. A man with shrapnel wounds of moderate severity was taken to the hospital, nothing threatens his health.

In Belgorod, a Ukrainian UAV of an unknown type crashed in the yard of an apartment building. According to preliminary information, there are no wounded among the civilian population and no damage. Special services are working at the scene of the incident.

The Washington Post newspaper reports that Ukraine is training units to cross the Dnieper, special forces are already moving to the left bank of the river to conduct raids, but the Russian Armed Forces are preventing the landing of Ukrainian saboteurs.

It is noted that the Ukrainian assault units train twice a week to cross the river on boats and on a pontoon bridge.

According to the newspaper, Kyiv has begun building barges that can be used to transport heavy weapons. Ukrainian brigadier general Mykhailo Drapatiy claims that the special forces have already begun to cross to the left bank of the river to carry out raids, but they have not been able to gain a foothold there.

“You will be killed immediately if you try to swim across (the river)… Some 20-30 people can quietly take a piece of territory of 100 meters, but then the artillery will bury them in 15 minutes,” said Ukrainian colonel Roman Kostenko.

As the newspaper writes, for Ukrainians, the priority at the moment is to establish control over the islands on the river.

Special Operation, 19 May 2023, Main; pub. 22:11⚡️

▪️ Shoygu has inspected the forward command post of one of the units of the Vostok troop grouping in the #Zaporozhye direction, the Ministry of Defence said;

▪️ The RF Armed Forces have struck Ukrainian troops’ deployment and training centres, ammunition depots, foreign-made weapons and equipment, and all facilities have been hit;

▪️ Kiev’s losses in #Artyomovsk direction amounted to more than 70 militants, up to 150 in #Zaporozhye and #Kherson, and about 150 in #Kupyansk and Krasny #Liman;

▪️ Mishustin said that output for the needs of the SMO participants has increased in almost all positions and will continue to grow;

▪️ Ukrainian troops deliberately want to break through the flanks in #Artyomovsk in order to complicate the advance of Russian fighters in the city itself; “exhaustive measures” are being taken to prevent the situation, Pushilin said;

▪️ Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjártó said that Budapest is ready to provide a platform for talks between Moscow and Kiev;

▪️ According to the NBC TV channel, the #US and allies are planning to provide Kiev with F-16s, while the planes may not be sent to #Ukraine directly from the #US.

 Russian Defence Ministry Report on the Progress of the Special Military Operation (19 May 2023)⚡️

◽️ Last night, the RF Armed Forces launched a strike by high-precision long-range sea-based weapons against the enemy’s stations and training centres, as well as depots storing ammunition, weapons, and hardware of foreign origin. The purpose of the strike has been achieved. All the assigned targets have been engaged. The strikes disrupted the supply, training, and formation of reserves of Ukrainian troops to carry out tasks in the areas of combat operations.

◽️ In Kupyansk direction, aviation and artillery of the Zapad Group of Forces have engaged AFU units close to Dvurechnaya, Novomlynsk, Kislovka and Berestovoye (Kharkov region). In addition, actions of 3 AFU SRGs were thwarted near Sinkovka and Timkovka (Kharkov region) and Rozovka (LPR).

💥 The enemy’s losses amounted to up to 65 troops, 2 motor vehicles, and 1 Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system during the day.

◽️ Moreover, an ammunition depot of the AFU 14th Mechanised Brigade was destroyed close to Tishchenkovka (Kharkov region).

◽️ In Krasny Liman direction, Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery of the Tsentr Group of Forces engaged AFU units close to Nevskoye, Chervonaya Dibrova (LPR), and Grigorovka (DPR).

💥 Up to 85 Ukrainian troops, 3 AFVs, 1 Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, as well as Msta-B and D-30 howitzers have been eliminated.

◽️ In Artyomovsk tactical direction, the assault squads continue fighting in the west part of the city.  The Yug Group’s units immobilised the enemy’s action covering the actions of the assault squads.

◽️ Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery of the Yug Group of Forces have inflicted a fire damage on the enemy’s manpower and hardware close to Kalinovka, Chasov Yar, Krasnoye (DPR). Over the past day, Russian aircraft have made 5 sorties. The Group’s artillery have performed 68 firing missions.

💥 Over 70 Ukrainian troops and mercenaries, 2 IFVs, 1 APC, 3 pickup trucks, 1 Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and 2 US AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery radar stations were eliminated in the fighting.

💥 In Donetsk direction, units, aviation, and artillery of the Yug Group of Forces have eliminated up to 135 troops, 10 motor vehicles, and 1 UK L118 towed howitzer during the day.

💥 A warehouse of rocket and artillery weapons has been destroyed near Bokovoye (DPR).

◽️ In South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, aviation and artillery of the Vostok Group of Forces inflicted a fire damage on AFU units close Shevchenko and Novosyolka (DPR), and Malaya Tokmachka and Novodanilovka (Zaporozhye region).

💥 Up to 120 troops, 3 AFVs, 3 motor vehicles, and 2 D-30 howitzers have been neutralised in these directions during the day. An ammunition depot of the 72nd Mechanised Brigade of the AFU has been hit close to Konstantinovka (DPR).

◽️ In Kherson direction, up to 30 Ukrainian troops, 2 motor vehicles, and 1 D-20 howitzer have been neutralised by fire.

💥 Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Group of Forces have engaged 76 AFU artillery units, manpower and hardware in 103 areas during the day.

💥 An artillery ammunition depot of the AFU has been destroyed near Krasnoarmeysk (DPR). A fuel depot for Ukrainian military hardware was destroyed near the town of Mervichi, Lvov region.
 
💥 Russian air defence forces have intercepted 7 HIMARS MLRS shells during the day.

◽️ Moreover, 10 Ukrainian UAVs have been shot down close to Dvurechnoye, Gorobyovka (Kharkov region), Veseloye, Blagoveshchenka, Belogorovka, Novomikhaylovka, and Yegorovka (DPR).

Chronicles of the special military operation for May 19, 2023

 Last night, the Russian Armed Forces launched several strikes on enemy targets in western and southern Ukraine: a transshipment point with equipment was hit north of Lvov, a former industrial enterprise in Krivoy Rog, while in Nikolaev, Russian forces hit warehouses.

Fierce fighting continues in the Bakhmut direction. In Bakhmut itself, PMC detachments took the Domino fortified area, under the control of Ukrainian battles go for the “Airplane” and a small segment of the private sector.

In the evening, Ukrainian formations launched a missile attack on Mariupol. The scale of the destruction is currently being specified.

🔻 Read more on our website

 (https://rybar.ru/hronika-speczialnoj-voennoj-operaczii-za-19-maya-2023-goda/)

US and allies plan to provide Kyiv with F-16s

According to the NBC television channel, citing a high-ranking official from the US administration, the planes may not be sent to Ukraine directly from Washington.

CNN, also citing a source, notes that the training of Ukrainian pilots will not be held in the United States: only at European bases, although with the participation of American specialists.

Battlefield Ukraine Secret War

F-16s to Ukraine/ More Aid to Ukraine?/ Zelenskyy at G7 – Tony Shaffer

Zelenskyy: Some Arab countries ‘turning a blind eye’ to Russian invasion of Ukraine