“Russia may be close to capturing Bakhmut. But a victory could come at a heavy cost”
“For the first time in eight months, the Russians are on the cusp of taking a Ukrainian city, albeit a small one already abandoned by more than 90% of its prewar population.
Ukrainian defenses in and around the eastern city of Bakhmut are being squeezed by a combination of intense artillery, mortar fire, and airstrikes and a substantial commitment of ground forces, both Russian regulars and fighters of the Wagner private military company.
If and when Bakhmut falls, it may be tempting to ask whether Russian forces are improving, learning from the catalog of mistakes they have made so far in this conflict and finally exploiting their superiority in numbers and firepower.
The answer: probably not.”
https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/06/europe/russia-ukraine-bakhmut-analysis-intl/index.html
” Russian victory in Bakhmut would not change tide of war, U.S. says”
“As the months-long battle for Bakhmut rages on, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said a victory for Russia there would offer the Kremlin a symbolic victory but not turn the tide of the broader war. Ukrainian officials say Russian forces have not seized full control of the eastern Ukrainian city.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated that officials are preparing for the wider war against Russia to continue into its second year. Work is already underway to shore up heating for next winter, Zelensky said in his nightly address, after Ukrainians suffered through a frigid season without reliable power.”