WNU Editor: Western and Ukrainian media sources continue to say that Ukrainian forces are holding the line .... Ukraine Battles to Hold Off Russia in Bakhmut's Western Districts (WSJ). More here .... UK Defense Ministry: 'Heavy, short-range combat' continues in western Bakhmut (Kyiv Independent), and here .... Russia ground to standstill in Bakhmut, Kyiv says (New Voice of Ukraine).
There are even reports that Ukraine's Special Operations Forces Commander made a visit .... Special Operations Forces commander visits Bakhmut to rally troops (New Voice Of Ukraine).
My Russian and Ukrainian source say a different story. That there are anywhere from 2 to 3 Ukrainian brigades trapped in a small district of the city that they still control, and they cannot get out without the risk of being annihilated by Russian artillery. The above video from the Military Summary Channel summarizes what these sources are saying.
I do not know if any of these reports are true. But I do agree with Ukraine President Zelensky that should this front collapse, the Russian military will now be in a position to launch multiple offensives on the last remaining cities in the Donbas .... Zelenskyy: We cannot give up Bakhmut, that would expand battle front (Ukrayinska Pravda). More here .... Zelenskyy explains why Ukraine will not give up defense of Bakhmut (New Voice Of Ukraine).
The big question is: does the pace pick up after Bakhmut and we'll see an attempt at large scale armored breakthrough? Or is this grinder what the entire war looks like until one side gives in?
ReplyDeleteMy money is on this being a war of attrition. Why should Russia launch an offensive when Ukraine is rushing their units against Russian defenses.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Great Strategy. We ran over Nazi’s by ‘bypassing’ strong points. Russia is putting a whole lot of resources trying to capture one little meaningless town!
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ReplyDeleteExplain to us then what they are doing then? You seem to have this figured out.
Why would they bypass the place where all the Ukrainian soldiers are being funnelled? The point is to kill Ukrainian soldiers until they submit. If the Ukrainian soldiers leave and go to another place that’s where the Russians will follow, but it would take time to reestablish the supply lines. Right now they have a constant flow of material right up to the front.
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