Posted on 02/26/2023 6:48:02 AM PST by elpadre
Some 10,000 to 20,000 troops comprising the Ukrainian army in Bakhmut are now trapped. Reports say that the city is operationally encircled with diminishing chance of a breakout.
To the west of Bakhmut is a lot of open country and not much to prevent a Russian advance all the way to the Dnieper River. There is no hard evidence yet that the Ukrainian army has prepared a second line of defense.
This means the way may be open for a possible major offensive by Russian forces. Whether that will happen and what Russia’s goals are remain to be seen.
Most of the Russian advance in Bakhmut was by “private army” Wagner forces. Wagner troops are on the eastern and southern side of the town, and also in the north. A major stronghold, Yahidne, has now fallen.
Ukraine tried a counter-offensive that temporarily gained some ground, but now it has been rolled back. There is little chance that the Ukrainians have an opportunity to try again.
The weather is about to turn rainy and overcast. This makes it difficult for Ukrainian forces to retreat from the city in any orderly way. The roads are all but blocked, and forces evacuating across muddy farm fields will be difficult, leading to high casualties.
(Excerpt) Read more at asiatimes.com ...
The United States’ industrial military complex murdering young men... again.
excerpted:
“...Quite possibly Russia’s objectives in the Ukraine war may change.
The stated objective of the Russian Special Military Operation was to secure the territory of the two breakaway Republics, Donetsk and Luhansk, now annexed to Russia. What the Russians seem to have learned is that stabilizing the line is extremely difficult and costly. What would constitute an acceptable outcome is elusive....”
> forces evacuating across muddy farm fields will be difficult, leading to high casualties.
Don’t know about the “high casualties”, but heavy equipment might be more of a problem. Mud sucks. I remember the good old days of digging a thrown track out of a mud pit.
Still pretending this isn’t a USA with a Ukraine beard versus Russia war.
Reminds me of Stalingrad....in miniature.
Well if they’re going to counter-attack they better do it right now.
They did say that they were trying to bait the Russians in closer, hopefully they didn’t outsmart themselves.
“weather is about to turn rainy and overcast”
This would make a massive Russian offensive impractical in the near term.
Encircled again? How many times are they going to be encircled?
The worm in the meat grinder is now turning.
Wasn’t Zelensky told to pull back from that place and he vowed to fight on and hold? Maybe comedians do not make good generals after all. Mr. Zelensky won the Propaganda war hands down, but the real war—maybe not so much. He was warned to make a deal with Putin. Maybe now might be a good time to get on the horn and start to work on a cease fire?
The Russians have lost a lot of soldiers for not much gain.
I suspect the Wagner Group has lost so many Russians by bad tactics that it has lost the favor of the Russian Federation government.
Oops, Zelensky will need more money.
You do not want to make yourselves the “bait who is encircled”. You get fired on from every direction.
Also keep your eyes Transnistria / Moldova. DPA Warchannel reported 2 locations where Ukraine is moving units close to that Border. There is a large fat goose right across from them, a Russian Ammo depot with who knows how many hundreds/thousands of artillery rounds. All for old Soviet artillery which Ukraine is running out of.
The temptation might be too great. If Ukraine grasps the depot Moldova might get involved and Russia has warned they will make this affair official and make. a DOW on Ukraine. Basically escalate everything.
Maybe now might be a good time to get on the horn and start to work on a cease fire?
**********
With a waterfall of money, weapons, aid and support cascading into Ukraine that’s prolly not going to happen. Kind of a disincentive for them actually.
So the Russians have now retreated all the way around Bakhmut.
Sounds like Adm. Halsey, who reported his fleet that the Japanese claimed was sunk or disabled is “retiring toward the enemy.”
“Encircled again?”
May be or may not be again.
Remember, opinion pieces within the AsiaTimes have a strong anti-American sentiment or actually anything that can be associated with U.S.
Interesting war we have here. There were reports earlier today of Russian units being encircled there.
But... but ... but ... I was told Ukraine winning and to send money ...
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