Situation in Bakhmut City critical, Ukraine controls westernmost area – Deputy Defense Minister

In her latest update posted on the afternoon of 20 May, Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar wrote that heavy fighting continues in Bakhmut City, Donetsk Oblast, with the situation there being "critical."

"At the same time, our troops are holding the defense in the 'Airplane' area (the westernmost part of the city near the place, where the Soviet-times monument of the MiG-17 fighter jet was located, - Ed.). As of now, our defenders control certain industrial and infrastructure facilities in the area and the private sector (i.e. detached house neighborhood, - Ed.)," she added.

Earlier today, the owner of the Wagner Group PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, claimed that Russians control all of Bakhmut. While slowly retreating inside Bakhmut during the months-long battle, Ukrainian troops regained control of significant areas on the flanks north and south of the city in recent days:

Read also:

• Ukraine’s tactical gains prompt Russian reinforcement in Bakhmut sector – UK intel
• Russo-Ukrainian War. Day 450: Russia in retreat near Bakhmut
• Frontline report: “Wagnerites” bombard high-rises in Bakhmut as Ukraine keeps pushing on the flanks
• Ukrainian troops repelled all attacks in Bakhmut, advanced up to 1 km on flanks – Defense Ministry
• Frontline report: Ukrainian forces push forward in Bakhmut, putting preasure on Wagner Group
• Ukraine advances 150-1700 m at Bakhmut flanks in one day – military official