UK says Russia's announcement of taking Bakhmut "is likely" "out of the realities on the ground"

British intelligence services say that Moscow is suffering "high casualties" in its offensives in Bakhmut and Vuhledar

MADRID, 20 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The intelligence services of the United Kingdom have affirmed this Monday that "it is probable" that Moscow assures that it has taken the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut (east) for Friday, when the first anniversary of the start of the invasion is celebrated, before influencing that this announcement will take place "outside reality on the ground".

"Russia continues to carry out offensives on various axes in eastern Ukraine," they said, before specifying that the main ones are those of Vuhledar, Kremina and Bakhmut. "Casualties are high, particularly at Bakhmut and Vuhledar. Specifically, the 'elite' 155th and 40th Brigades of the Naval Infantry Brigades have suffered very high losses at Vuhledar and are likely to be ineffective in combat," they noted.

They have also indicated that "it is likely that the Russian forces will be under increasing political pressure as the anniversary of the invasion approaches" and they have stressed that "if the Russian spring offensive does not achieve anything, tensions within the the Russian leadership will probably increase", according to a series of messages published by the British Ministry of Defense on its account on the social network Twitter.

Russian troops have made several advances in eastern Ukraine in recent weeks and have managed to approach Bakhmut, of strategic importance. Indeed, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Irina Vershchuk on Thursday called on Bakhmut residents to leave the city because of "heavy fighting taking place."