Ukraine, “the Russians used phosphorus in Bakhmut.” US analysts: “Moscow has changed its priorities, and now it must face a counterattack”

Kyiv once again condemns the use of al-Qaeda weapons phosphorous on civilians by Russia. Use the enemy phosphorus ammunition And the incendiary a Bakhmutto try to Clean up the city off the face of the earth, “said the press office Ukraine’s special forceswho also provided a video for the newspaper Ukraineska Pravda. However, military special forces and other defense forces units continue supported With the courage of the city, ”the statement concludes. Meanwhile, after an initial denial, the commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykola Oleshuk confirmed that a Kinzhal hypersonic missile It was shot down over the sky of the capital Kiev on the night of May 4 by an American anti-missile system Patriot. “Congratulations to the people of Ukraine for a historic event! Yes, we shot Kinzhal with the Patriots,” he wrote on Telegram. “A Kh-47 missile launched from a MiG-31K from Russian territory,” he added. Portal Friday Quick defense He had reported that the missile had been shot down, but this was denied by the Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson.

Meanwhile, on the Russian front, according to a reportAmerican Institute for the Study of War (ISW) On May 5, the Department of Defense shifted its battlefield priorities, shifting the operational focus from capturing Bakhmut to preparing to confront counterattack Ukraine. Analysts say the change put the “Wagner” mercenaries in a difficult position and threatening videos of the leader were exposed Prigozhin “Show it Desperate And his anger. Wagner’s insistence on Bakhmut – continues the report – contradicts A General slowdown of offensive operations Elsewhere in Ukraine, where the regular Russian army appears to be shifting focus largely to preparing for a long overdue Ukrainian counterattack. At the moment it is not known whether Prigozhin really intended this to retreat by Bakhmut on May 10, or whether he made this statement in a last-ditch effort to gain the support of the Ministry of Defense.”

this morning in Crimea Ukrainian media, quoting the channels, said that the Russians occupied several explosions cable Places where videos of smoke were allegedly filmed by Peninsula residents. Residents of the Krasnogvardeisky district of the occupied peninsula heard the explosions. Later, Oleg Kryuchkov, an advisor to the pro-Russian ruler of Crimea, reported that “L Air defense activated In the north,” and “there were no casualties or damage.”