Commentary by Russian military journalist Boris Rozhin
[ColonelCassad] After the storming of Artemovsk.
1. Our troops here retain the initiative and continue the offensive. PMC "Wagner" is actively engaged in assault operations.
2. The main battles are going on for Opytnoye, south of Artemovsk in the direction of Kurdyumovka, on the eastern outskirts of the city and to the northeast in the direction of Krasnaya Gora.
As has been pointed out in other offerings by the Russians, this is not the same Opytnoye near western Donetsk city, which the Ukrainians still hold.
3. There is currently no "encirclement" of the enemy in Artemovsk. The enemy, despite heavy losses (Ukrainian sources today reported that over 500 wounded in Artemovsk alone in the last 2 days - to understand the intensity of the fighting) continues to maintain the integrity of the front, regularly saturating it with redeployed reserves, which are concentrated in the Chasov Yar area.
4. There is also no reason to believe that the enemy will somehow react to strange stuffing about "ultimatums". The command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is well aware that in the event of the loss of Artemovsk, the "Flower of Popasnaya 2.0" will bloom there.
Artemovsk has been a critical rail/road junction for the Ukrainians since 2014, including with corps level headquarters established there. Losing Artemovsk will mean greater difficulties in holding their salient to the north.
5. After the loss of Opytnoye and the beginning of the assault on Artemovsk, the enemy clearly expects to hold on to the eastern part of Artemovsk for some time, and then retreat to the western districts of the city. The bridge in the city center has long been undermined. In case of loss of the city, they will gradually retreat to Chasov Yar.
6. In the current realities, it is quite possible to agree with Prigozhin's opinion that the more our troops grind enemy troops in Artemovsk, the better.
https://t.me/boris_rozhin - zinc (the broadcast of hostilities continues as usual in Telegram - if you are interested, subscribe)