Posted on 02/08/2023 10:19:50 AM PST by thegagline
The soil of Bakhmut is dusted with snow and soaked with blood. This small city in Eastern Ukraine is at the centre of an epic battle. For more than six months Russian forces have tried to claim it. Ukrainian troops have resisted, giving rise to the popular slogan here "Bakhmut holds." Now the Russians are attacking from three sides, with regular troops and fighters from the notorious Wagner mercenary group. The Russians have reached one of the main highways into the city, and are closing in on the outskirts. There is house-to-house fighting in some areas on the outskirts, with "hard battles for every home" according to the Ukrainian military. It feels like Bakhmut is on borrowed time. ***
But Ukraine is counting the cost and there's speculation it could withdraw to avoid further heavy losses.
In the Kremlin, a clock is ticking - counting down to the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of its neighbour, on 24 February 2022. President Putin wants a victory before then. Taking Bakhmut would give him one, and bring him closer to his aim of capturing all of the mineral rich Donbas region. To reach Bakhmut you drive along winding back roads. The route we used for previous trips last September is now classed as "suicidal" because of constant Russian attacks. The city is now a shell. The thud of incoming and outgoing fire echoes through empty streets. Missiles have punched holes through buildings. Power and water supplies are long gone, along with most of the pre-war population of about 70,000. *** "These heights are more important for the Russians than Bakhmut itself," said a Ukrainian colleague. "If they can bring their artillery here, they can target bigger cities like Kramatorsk and Slovyansk. " Bakhmut holds, for now, but for how much longer.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
Yeah, the Russians are passing bahkmut now and surrounding it. Prayers that some will be spared.
A shattered city. So pointless.
Why have the Ukrainians not evacuated all civilians???
LOL, “winning”
I just love the way the media tries to put Western political culture on the Russian military actions.
They aren’t celebrating an anniversary... for “pubic opinion” polls. It’s not like Putin is ever actually running for election. They are willing to take huge casualties and will basically grind up whatever is in front and kill the rest in mop up operations.
They aren’t “fighting” house to house”. They are leveling every single building and clearing out the rubble.
When the area is incircled and causes to many casualties....they’ll bring in more artillery and pound it for a couple of days. Anyone under artillery fire. those poor Uke bastards left, will go nuts after days and days of fire with no food, water, sleep or support. .
And then the war ends? Ukraine gives up with Leopards, Bradleys and GLSDB's on the way?
The people of Moldova and Poland are looking around and getting a little nervous.
Bakhmut is a modern-day Stalingrad, the Russians have encircled the city and pounding it with artillery, it’s only a matter of time before the city is completely overrun.
I gave Sun Tzu a listen yesterday.
I would suggest someone in the Russian Army give it a little study.
I’m not even convinced this is going to be accomplished soon.
They’ve—the media, the Russians, the pro-Russian FReepers, or anti-Ukraine Freepers (I’m not trying to offend anyone)— been saying Bakhmut is about to fall to the Russians for many months now.
I’m just saying they shouldn’t count chickens before the eggs hatch.
Even if they do take it, does the next city becomes a six month obstacle? Hard for any side to move quickly when artillery has both sides zeroed in.
My above is a military view, not political.
Need to authorize NATO airstrikes, just like in Kosovo (also not a member of NATO). For humanitarian reasons of course.
I don't think so. The war isn't going to end till a very large part of eastern Ukraine is destroyed and the Russians take Odessa.
Then a Nobel Prize will be awarded to Zelinsky or Biden or some EU weenie when they decide a large enough percentage of Ukrainan men between the ages of 18-55 are dead and they find a compromise... like North Korea/South Korea that will insure a "NATO missle free" zone all along the Russian border.... kinda like it was during the cold war.
If I was a former Soviet Republic I'd be a little worried.
I think Ukrainians are in for the long haul, and are willing to take the casualties, otherwise they know Putin will be back eventually for more territory.
The BBC is now Russian propaganda? Some FReepers probably believe that since it is impossible for Bakhmut to fall into Russian hands!
In WWI the Germans launched a massive attack against the French forts. They took one with little cost, but the battle so damaged the German forces that it probably hastened the eventual German surrender. Not all battles are worth fighting. Retreating is sometimes the best tactic. The important thing is to win the war, not every battle.
In WWI the Germans launched a massive attack against the French forts. They took one with little cost, but the battle so damaged the German forces that it probably hastened the eventual German surrender. Not all battles are worth fighting. Retreating is sometimes the best tactic. The important thing is to win the war, not every battle.
No, what we will have is someone here say “its over” for the umpteenth time.
This guy was saying that Bakhmut was about to fall a couple of months ago.
BAKHMUT IS ABOUT TO FALL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rxNKc0Rz3Y&ab_channel=HistoryLegends
About a month ago.
Russian Assault Units Have Entered BAKHMUT!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqm2XVKdaio&ab_channel=HistoryLegends
Two weeks ago.
BAKHMUT Facing Operational ENCIRCLEMENT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Vfvj8VGTHE&ab_channel=HistoryLegends
Even the pro-Uke battle map shows Bakhmut getting encircled.
https://liveuamap.com/
But several FReepers would say he’s just another arm of Russian propaganda. They seem to be of the opinion that Bakhmut will never fall to the Ruskies.
This entire conflict is stupid and pointless and was avoidable.
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