Despite their victorious claims, the Russian forces have not made any progress in Bakhmut.

According to the ISW, despite Russian troops and units from the paramilitary Wagner Group launching continued ground attacks in the city, there is no evidence that they have made any progress. “Ukrainian and Russian sources continue to report heavy fighting in the town, but Wagner Group fighters appear to be becoming increasingly pinned in urban areas, such as the AZOM industrial complex, and therefore are finding it difficult to make significant advances”, the ISW said. The exact picture of what is happening in Bakhmut is difficult to establish. On Saturday, Wagner’s chief said his forces were close to the city center. At the same time, the Ukrainian Armed Forces claimed that since the battle for Bakhmut started, Russia has had 50,000 soldiers killed or wounded and lost at least 200 tanks.