PMC "Wagner" mercenaries began to retreat from some of their positions in Bakhmut in the Donetsk region. Meanwhile, security forces of the so-called "DPR" probably entered the city to begin demining.

This is stated in a new UK intelligence report.

"In recent weeks, units of the 31st brigade of the Russian Airborne Forces (Airborne Forces) probably moved from the Svatove-Kreminna area to reinforce the flanks of Bakhmut," British intelligence officials said.

It is noted that the rotation of the "Wagnerites" will continue in controlled stages to prevent a collapse in the cells around Bakhmut. Despite the hostility of PMC leader Yevgeny Prigozhin from the Russian Ministry of Defense, mercenaries are likely to be used for further offensive operations in the Donbas.

At the same time, British intelligence notes that Ukrainian forces have occupied 20 square kilometers on the flanks of Bakhmut as of May 16, 2023.

Recall, the leader of "Wagner" Yevgeny Prigozhin said that from May 25 he plans to withdraw his troops from Bakhmut. This will last until June 1. Their positions will be taken by the regular army.

Currently, the withdrawal of the "Wagnerites" from some positions around the city is also confirmed by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. By the way, the spokesman of the Eastern Group of Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Serhiy Cherevatyi, says that Prigozhin is latently capitulating.

Read also:

• Near Bakhmut, the Armed Forces of Ukraine seized the initiative: American analysts about the successes of the city's defenders
• "In the end, the Russians will flee": an expert on the departure of the "Wagnerites" from Bakhmut
• "Bloody bacchanalia gets out of control": 30 Wagner prisoners killed 2 occupiers in Bakhmut and fled

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