In Bakhmut, Donetsk region, the fierce battle between Russians and Ukrainians continues for several kilometers with deadly attacks. At the end of last week, Ukrainian authorities published photos of trenches with soldiers buried in mud, showing the violence of the fighting. The Russian army, and especially the group of Wagner mercenaries, has been trying to capture the city since May 17. “Wagner had been there for a long time, since they participated in the Popasna breakthrough on May 7, which led to the striking collapse of Kramatorsk.“, military historian Cedric Mas recalls.
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The Russians had it thenmade a major effort to take Severodonetsk and Liman, an important railway junction– says Thibaut Fouillet, researcher at the Foundation for Strategic Studies (FRS). But a Ukrainian counter-offensive in late August and the liberation of two key communication hubs, Isium and Lyman, reorganized the front. “Bakhmut, who was behind the font, then takes on new importanceadds the researcher. However, before the invasion, this city, inhabited by more than 70,000 inhabitants, does not represent any special strategic interest. “This is a marketing ploy for the Kremlin, which wants to allow itself a victory. Possession of Bakhmut, devastated by months of shelling, will not bring anything decisive, as the Russians will face the heights and new Ukrainian defense lines in the direction of Kramatorsk.says Cedric Mas.
Also, progress is proving difficult. This refers to an equal number of fighters on both sides, despite the arrival of reinforcements from Kherson after its abandonment, but also effective reinforcements. “The lines in Donbas have been strengthened since 2015, which explains the rather slow progress in this area.Thibault Fouillet notes. The Russians are also facing a tactical blockade.it is a logic where fire surpasses motion“, he is abundant. “The defense is far superior to the offense and the shooting is very effective“, Cedric Mass continues. After the bombardment, the attacker tried to move forward, but ran into the enemy, whose artillery stopped his advance. “Each advance is expensive and difficult to record in the long run because it consumes resources and soldiers. This explains why the forehead cools and then warms up. During the First World War, this region was overcome thanks to the aircraft/tank pair. But here drones and artillery complicate an armored attack“, deciphers Thibaut Fouillet.
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“Ultimately, the difference in quality between the two infantry matters. Ukrainians are motivated, bite and do not wait for orders to act. On the contrary, soldiers are poorly motivated, which explains the use of mercenaries– says the military historian. A job thathighlights the difficulty points of Russian weapons. It is easier to use mercenaries than mobilized, where in case of death it is necessary to report to the families;Thibault Fouillet notes. However, and contrary to the strengthening of communication with the Chechens in Mariupol, the Kremlin seems less inclined to emphasize their importance in these battles. The Russian communication focuses on the modest promotion of Bakhmut, recalling one of the stated goals.release» of the annexed regions of Donbass.
These battles, costly to human life, also allow both camps to “to stare in astonishment» enemy troops at a specific point. Thus, the Russian troops from Kherson cannot be used for another attack, on the contrary, the Ukrainians cannot redistribute their soldiers to another front or calm them down. For several weeks now, several pro-Russian accounts have been openly worried about Ukrainian breakthroughs around Zaporozhye towards Melitopol. And Crimea.
Source: Le Figaro
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.