Russia acknowledges retreat north of Bakhmut, Wagner boss calls it a 'rout'

[Lasher]

Source: Reuters

KYIV, May 12 (Reuters) - Moscow acknowledged on Friday that its forces had fallen back north of Ukraine's battlefield city of Bakhmut after a new Ukrainian offensive, in a retreat that the head of Russia's Wagner private army called a rout.

The setback for Russia, which follows similar reports of Ukrainian advances south of the city, suggests a coordinated push by Kyiv to encircle Russian forces in Bakhmut, Moscow's main objective for months during the war's bloodiest fighting.

"In three days of counter-offensive activity, the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Bakhmut sector have liberated 17.3 sq. km (6.6 sq. miles) of territory," Serhiy Cherevatyi, spokesman for the "east" group of Ukrainian forces, said on the Telegram messaging app.

Both sides are now reporting the biggest Ukrainian gains in six months, although Ukraine has given few details and played down suggestions a huge, long-planned counteroffensive has officially begun.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukrainian-tanks-join-attacks-along-60-mile-front-russia-says-2023-05-12/

[niyad]

1. Slava Ukraini! Thank you for the update.

[Lasher]

2. 1,000 troops and 40 tanks

I think the spring counteroffensive has begun.

[Ellipsis]

3. Way cool. n/t

[Aristus]

4. Oh God. Those Ukrainian soldiers. I love them so much.

Godspeed, you magnificent bastards! This tanker salutes you and wishes you Happy Hunting!

[MarineCombatEngineer]

12. As does this combat engineer.

Go get those Russian bastards. Ooh Rah.

[Aristus]

13. ...

[ancianita]

5. Great news! Also, POW swaps is an indication that Russia's leaving.

Thank you. I'm hoping this is the beginning of the end.

[BOSSHOG]

6. Vlad should declare victory

Pull the troops home and give himself a medal.

[ancianita]

7. Yep.

He fended off those Nazis and has made Russia safe. Then he can pursue ending sanctions for his suffering oligarchs.

Wait until the Russian families never see either their sons or the caskets.
Then they'll know who really won.

[paleotn]

8. Solves a lot of problems if he would. Certainly better than getting his arse handed to him

by western equipped and western trained Ukrainian formations this Summer and Fall. Like we learned in Clear Sky drills, the Ukrainians are quick studies and add their own interesting wrinkles to how the west does things.

&ab_channel=UATVEnglish

[BOSSHOG]

9. And the clock is ticking

As you alluded to seasons, winter will be upon us in a blink. If vlad waits that long there will be different kinds of parades.

[LoisB]

15. Yep.

[housecat]

23. Best way to end it.

[orangecrush]

10. SLAVA UKRAINI!!!

[gademocrat7]

11. Slava Ukraini 💙💛🇺🇦

[LoisB]

14. I think Putin bought into the myth of the almighty Russian military. I really think he believed

Ukraine would believe they stood no chance and just roll over for him. I imagine he is embarrassed and would like to find a way out with his ego intact.

[onetexan]

16. THIS!!☝️

Crimea emboldened the sociopathic fool & his minions, hence why they thought the Ukrainians wld just roll over & let the russians trample on their sovereign territory.

[wnylib]

17. Great news! Slava Ukraini!

[LudwigPastorius]

18. Surround them and stomp them.

Use their carcasses for sunflower fertilizer.

[Major Nikon]

19. Another victorious retreat for mother Russia!

[Mysterian]

20. Russia will never fuck with Ukraine ever again

After insane murderer Putin's army is ejected from Ukranian soil forever.

[LiberalLovinLug]

22. So sad. Both of Slavic heritage. Brothers and sister nations who have historical ties

Many with relatives in each others countries.

Now, you are right, Ukraine will only speed up its EU membership, maybe even NATO. And Russia will be despised and hated for generations at least.

[Wonder Why]

21. It was a "negative attack" by the Russians and they victoriously completed

it successfully.