Ukraine’s counteroffensive has seen the country reclaim the eastern city of Bakhmut, leaving Russians “fleeing or surrendering”, in yet another blow to Vladimir Putin’s forces as the war reaches its 63rd week.
It comes after Russian warplanes and two military helicopters were downed by suspected Ukrainian missile strikes, according to reports.
At least four crew members were killed in the crashes, in what has been dubbed the “worst day in decades for the Russian Air Force”.
It was reported that three aircraft were shot down, however, Russian media Mash and Baza both claimed that the actual number was four.
In yet another blow to Putin’s forces, Ukraine said its armed forces broke through advancing Russian formations northwest of Bakhmut, the city Moscow’s forces have been trying to capture for nine months.
Mr Hewitt said: “In the latest sign that Ukraine’s military forces are pressing the advantage against Putin’s military, the Wagner Group Paramilitary organization that supports Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is threatening to pull out of the fight for the eastern city of Bakhmut.
“Founder Yevgeny Prigozhin in one of his typical unhinged rants is blaming the Russian Ministry of Defense for lack of resources and ammunition.
“More likely is that there wasn’t a shortage of ammunition, the Russians were simply defeated.
“Having lost the symbolic victory of taking Bakhmut before Victory Day on May 10, the Ukrainian forces were now taking back territory in heroic foxhole fighting, knocking out Russian positions, oftentimes leaving Russian and Wagner troops fleeing or surrendering.”
He said Ukraine appears to have its attention on recapturing while also advancing on territory south of the city.
Mr Hewitt explained: “The fight for Bakhmut is symbolic of Ukraine’s tenacity and military capability against Russia’s weakened conscript military at a crucial moment in the war.
“The defence of Bakhmut may signal not only a strategic turning point in the war but the beginning of the much-anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive.”
He said what must be done at the “crucial moment” is to provide “military supplies and hardware, weapon systems, tanks and aircraft” to Ukraine.
Last week, Russia tried to destroy a US-made Patriot air defence system in Ukraine using a hypersonic missile, US officials told CNN.
The attack failed, and the Ukrainian military instead intercepted the missile using the Patriot system, the officials said, marking their first known successful Ukrainian use of the advanced air defence system only weeks after it arrived in the country.
Ukraine is set to receive more military aid as Germany has said it will provide a new $2.97 billion package to Kyiv, the Ukrainian president’s chief of staff said on Saturday.
Thirty Leopard tanks, Iris-T air defence systems, 20 Marder armoured personnel carriers, 200 reconnaissance drones, 100 armoured vehicles and a large number of munitions, will be sent to Kyiv – in yet another blow to Putin.
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