ISW: Russian troops unlikely to quickly capture Ukraine's Bakhmut city

On Monday, May 23, Russian troops made minor gains near Severodonetsk, where they probably entered the village of Shchedrishchevo, northeast of Ukraine’s Severodonetsk city. At the same time, the Russian army is unlikely to be able to quickly capture the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region.

The American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) claimed in an analytic report that the Ukrainian troops withdrew west of Vladimirovka towards Soledar, indicating that Russian forces are advancing west of Popasna, as opposed to main an advance north to Severodonetsk, Caliber.Az reports. In addition, Russian troops were successful near the administrative border of Donetsk-Luhansk and took control of Mironovsky southeast of Bakhmut.

Russian troops stepped up offensive operations in the area of Lyman and Avdiivka and were able to take partial control over the town of Lyman. Also, Russian troops have intensified their artillery strikes on Avdeevka and are likely using the preliminary capture of Novoselivka to advance on Avdeevka and gain access to the highway in Slavyansk.

Around the city of Izyum in the Kharkiv region, Russian troops intend to try to resume offensive operations in the coming days.

The Russian army is likely to make further minor gains west of Popasna, but is unlikely to capture Bakhmut, analysts say.

The Ukrainian counter-offensive in the northeast of Kharkiv continues to threaten Russian positions and fortify defensive positions in the Volchansk area.