In the Bakhmut area, the Russian invaders, after capturing Krasnaya Gora and Paraskoveevka, directed all their efforts to the Berkhovka-Yagodnoye line in the direction of the reservoir.
This is reported by the military of the 46th air assault brigade in their TG channel.
Immediately after the capture of Paraskovievka, the invaders on their shoulders tried to enter Yagodnoye, which they succeeded. At the same time, the Russians did not succeed in Berkhovka, which, judging by the radio traffic, came as a surprise to them. At the same time, the enemy launched an auxiliary attack in the direction of Dubovo-Vasilovka in order to secure his flank, take control of the roads from Bakhmut and limit the maneuver with reserves.
In order to tie down the Armed Forces of Ukraine, positions in the east and southeast of the city were also attacked. The counterattack and consolidation on the line of the Seversky Canal Donetsk – Donbass – Ivanovskoye eased the position of our troops. At the same time, the enemy cannot do anything here yet, because our actions came as a surprise to them. Unfortunately, this configuration makes keeping Bakhmut a matter of time and effort. All the efforts of the enemy are now directed to the north of the city, where a favorable situation is developing for them, and to achieve success in Bakhmut by the anniversary of the beginning of the aggression against our country. But it should be understood that the surprises for the orcs in the form of a counterattack in the south-west in the area of the Bakhmut-Konstantinovka highway did not end (that’s all we can say), – they wrote in this unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
On February 20, the Russians again tried to attack in the direction of the Bakhmut-Konstantinovka highway to no avail.
Judging by their actions, it is more of a reconnaissance in force than a full-fledged offensive. The purpose of such attacks is to create tension in the sector, to prevent maneuvering with reserves and fire. All orc efforts will now be in the north. South is an auxiliary direction. All the attention of the line Berkhovka-Yagodnoye. If he holds out for a day, he will already be a success, according to the 46th brigade.
What’s next with the defense of Bakhmut
The defense of Bakhmut grinds the Russians down and reduces their potential. The Ukrainian command explained this to their American colleagues Austin and Milli. Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said that the Ukrainian military clearly understands that Bakhmut is a fortress that grinds the Russian resource.
The Russians have the greatest daily losses just in the directions of Bakhmut, Liman, all that part. They use assault practice in groups and leave the bodies. And again, and again. Our military understands that the more we grind, the less opportunities they have to go on a full-fledged offensive,” the minister explained.
According to Reznikov, during his conversation with the head of the Pentagon Lloyd Austin and the talks of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny with the US Chief General Mark Milli, this issue is raised.
British intelligence concluded on February 20 that Russia could announce the “capture of Bakhmut” on the anniversary of a full-scale invasion, regardless of the actual state of affairs in Bakhmut, in order to show the Russians at least some success.
Following this logic, the military-political leadership of Russia can be recommended to withdraw all its troops to the borders of 1991, turn off the Internet, and announce on television the successful completion of the “NOR” and the achievement of all goals. Close the iron curtain and let the Russians continue to live in isolation with a fictitious victory.
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.