According to analysts, the possible local success of the Russian Armed Forces in the area of the front-line city is only symbolic for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russian troops probably control at least half of Bakhmut, although Moscow is unlikely to develop potential success in the city of Donetsk region, to this conclusion came military researchers from the “Institute for the Study of War” in a summary for March 8.
Russian officials believe that the capture of the industrial settlement will provide Moscow with a springboard for further attacks on other Ukrainian cities, while experts attribute this local success of Russian President Vladimir Putin to only symbolic significance.
The ISW report mentions that PMC “Wagner”, which is financed by Yevgeny Prigozhin, on Wednesday, March 8, captured half of the territory of Bakhmut. A day earlier, analysts noted that Ukrainian forces had completed their withdrawal from some areas of the city.
It is expected that the activity of Russian troops will intensify in the northeastern and southeastern parts of the city to bypass the Bakhmutka River. Despite the supposed success, the ISW sees no prerequisites for rapid breakthroughs in areas other than Bakhmut, even if the RF Armed Forces manage to take the city under their full control.
Map of Bahmut
“ISW has not seen any evidence that Russian troops have well-equipped and trained reserves to advance beyond Bakhmut. January 2023,” the analysts said.
Information of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the situation in Bakhmut
At the same time, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine does not confirm the data on the seizure of any territories of Bakhmut by the Russians, but rather notes the successful repulsion of Russian attacks and mentions ten shellings that the Bakhmut district was subjected to.
“In the Bakhmut direction, the invaders do not stop assault operations in the direction of the city of Bakhmut. Our defenders repelled attacks in the settlements of Orekhovo-Vasilyevka, Dubovo-Vasilyevka, Bakhmut, Ivanovskoye and Aleksandro-Shultin,” says in the summary of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, published on March 9.
Previously Focus reported that, according to ISW, the Kremlin is actively recruiting volunteers and preparing for a protracted war with Ukraine.
Recall that, on March 9, the United States said that Bakhmut could be the last battle for Wagner PMC. According to retired US Air Force Colonel Cedric Leighton, Russian PMC mercenaries are suffering significant losses, and weapons stocks are likely to run low.
