Russian Forces On The Verge Of Seizing The Ukrainian City Of Bakhmut

 

RTE: Ukraine holds strategic town despite repeated Russian attacks - Zelensky  

Ukrainian troops are still holding the strategic eastern town of Bakhmut, despite repeated Russian attacks, while the situation in the Donbas region remains very difficult, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said. 

Mr Zelensky, speaking in an evening address, also said Russian missiles and drones had continued to hit Ukrainian cities, causing destruction and casualties.

Although Ukrainian troops have recaptured thousands of square kilometres of land in recent offensives in the east and south, officials say progress is likely to slow once Kyiv's forces meet more determined resistance.  

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WNU Editor: While the Western press is focused on Ukrainian advances in the Kherson district in the south and in the Kharkiv region in the north, the bulk of the Ukrainian and Russian forces that are fighting is in the Donbas, and specifically around the city of Bakhmut.

I am reading reports n the Ukrainian side that 30 to 40 thousands of Ukraine's best soldiers are committed to this battle, with the same number on the Russian/Donbas militia side (if not more). And the reason why the fighting is happening in this city is that this the critical Ukrainian hub that supplies a good portion of its front line in the Donbas. 

If the city and the regions around it fall to Russian forces and the Donbas militia, this part of the front will collapse. Both sides know it, and that is why they have committed tens of thousands of soldiers to the fight. 

Unfortunately for the Ukrainians, they cannot match the artillery fire-power of the Russian forces (see above RFE video), and I understand they are losing large numbers of soldiers while trying to slow down the Russian advance.

I am already seeing videos on Telegram and other social media platforms of Russian forces in the center of the city. If true, it looks like this battle and the battle of Donbas as a whole may shift dramatically in the coming weeks. 

A personal observation. 

This battle reminds me of the battle of Stalingrad in the Second World War. While the battle of Stalingrad was raging the German army made great headway on the entire Russian front. The siege of Leningrad started, German forces were within artillery range of Moscow, and the oil rich Caucasus fell under Axis control. But it was the battle of Stalingrad where the bulk of both armies were fighting, and it was the outcome of this battle that eventually shifted the momentum to the Soviet side. 

Is history repeating itself?

I do not know. But I do know that both sides have committed the bulk of their best forces into the fight, and they are both committed to win. Will Ukraine President Zelensky tell his soldiers to hold onto the last man like Hitler did in 1942 over Stalingrad? I hope not. 

More News On The Battle Of Bakhmut

Live: Russian forces intensify shelling of Ukraine's strategic eastern city Bakhmut -- France 24  

Russia-Ukraine updates: Ukrainian forces resist onslaught in Donbas city -- DW  

Zelenskiy: Ukraine troops hold key town, Russia firing more missiles -- Reuters  

The front-line Ukraine city where it is Russia making the gains -- The Telegraph  

Russia Targets More Ukrainian Towns As Zelenskiy Says Forces Continue To Hold Bakhmut -- RFE  

Russian-backed forces make advances towards eastern Ukrainian town, says UK -- Reuters