In a statement released by Moscow’s Ministry of Defense, it was confirmed that two senior Russian military officers were killed in eastern Ukraine. The casualties occurred during clashes near the contested town of Bakhmut as Russian forces claimed to be repelling Ukrainian attacks. Among the casualties were the commander of the 4th motorized rifle brigade, Colonel Vyacheslav Makarov, and the deputy commander of the army corps, Colonel Yevgeny Brovko.
The Russian Ministry of Defense disclosed that Colonel Makarov, who personally led the battle, was seriously wounded during the repulsion of a third attack and subsequently died during evacuation from the battlefield. The loss of senior army leaders highlights the intensification of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Meanwhile, at a summit in Berlin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy affirmed that preparations for a major counteroffensive were underway but denied any plans to launch attacks deep into Russian territory. He emphasized that Ukraine lacked the time, strength, and necessary weaponry for such actions. Instead, Zelenskyy stated that the counteroffensive would be focused on reclaiming the illegally occupied areas within Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders, as defined by the country’s constitution.
Ukraine has reported recent territorial gains in the vicinity of Bakhmut, which has been a focal point of intense fighting during the protracted standoff between the two sides. The town has also become a source of internal dispute within Russian factions involved in the conflict. Prominent oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin, who leads the Wagner Group mercenary outfit, has publicly criticized Russian military leaders, accusing them of failing to provide ammunition to his fighters on the front line and attempting to deceive Russian President Vladimir Putin about the situation on the ground.
While Russian officials have characterized troop movements around Bakhmut as strategic repositioning, Prigozhin has vehemently disputed this, describing the situation as a rout rather than a regrouping. The growing tensions within Russian factions involved in the conflict add further complexity to the evolving dynamics in eastern Ukraine.
The deaths of senior Russian military officers and the escalating disputes between Russian factions underscore the heightened intensity of the conflict. As Kyiv prepares for a significant counteroffensive, the situation in eastern Ukraine remains volatile and carries significant implications for the region’s stability.