Posted on 02/26/2023 2:27:58 PM PST by delta7
Here are a couple of big picture maps showing the current position of Russian and Ukrainian forces in Bakhmut and the surrounding area. As you can see the Russians (i.e., the Wagner Group) are making rapid advances after months of slow progress and appear to be on the verge of a tactical encirclement of the Ukrainian units.
It is important to understand the terrain of the Bakhmut area. The photos below show a landscape that reminds me of the state I grew up in — Missouri. Rolling hills, farmland and light forest that surround small cities. The first photo is looking north and shows the positions of the Russian and Ukrainian forces in the area. This area is not easily traversed by tanks. This is why artillery is the preferred weapon for dislodging units dug in on ridges and along the roads.
What makes the situation so desperate for Ukrainian forces at the moment is that they have been forced from their fortified entrenchments and are seeking shelter in temporary fox holes and tree lines.
Here is an update from today describing the developing situation:
There are reports of Wagner approaching Bogdanovka (west of Bakhmut) which increases the threat of encirclement.
The 2nd map shows approximate number of Ukrainian units in the same area.
The ones in yellow circle would be able to withdraw (unless they decide otherwise) The ones in the red circle will be in a difficult position.
It’s said that General Slursky arrived in Bakhmut to oversee the withdrawal of the more combat ready units, leaving territorial defence units to hold the rear After months of predictions of Ukraine retreating from Bakhmut it appears the moment is nigh. One of the key unanswered questions is how many Ukrainian soldiers will be captured and how many will escape. Regardless, this will mark another phase for Russia in its Ukrainian campaign to demilitarize and denazify. Ukraine’s next line of defense to the west (Kramatorsk and Seversk) is problematic because it sits in low ground and will be more vulnerable to Russian artillery.
In normal times the setback in Bakhmut would cause the U.S. and NATO to reassess the wisdom of its continued support for Ukraine and look for an escape route. But these are not normal times. It is more likely that the NATO crew will become more hysterical and double down on their support for Ukraine, including trying to accelerate the delivery of long range missiles which will further antagonize Russia. In short, the war will continue.
Both Russian and Ukie MOD maps show at least 10 Ukie Battalions in severe entrapment.
Another city pummeled flat and seized at the cost of thousands of lives. Just like Mariupol.
Enjoy your rubble, Vlad.
Here is a reasonably up-to-date and accurate status report:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDKVCFTUlvw
I saw another short report (I’m not posting a link because I question its reliability … but we’ll see in several days its veracity) where a local Bakhmut Ukrainian military commander was reporting that their “exit door” is now closed.
Wow...that is pretty one sided. “trust me russia doesn’t need more”. LOL. Yes they do...they just didn’t get it in time before the fields turned to mud.
More Larry Johnson drivel...
IMAGE PROJECTED ONTO US EMBASSY IN MOSCOW:
“400K UKRAINIANS DEAD, WANT TO CARRY ON?”
https://www.bitchute.com/video/A3jJ0ermzHry/
It’s like saying this is not biased.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypRNl6AjxW8
China is now insisting along with Russia for a UN investigation into who took out the Nordstream pipeline. Gonna be interesting to see how the neocons try and spin this.
n May 11, 2022, portions of a Russian motorized rifle brigade — hundreds of vehicles and thousands of troops — tried to ford the Siverskyi Donetsk River in order to extend Russia’s gains in Ukraine’s Donbas region.
13, 2022 — Russians are on the verge of capturing key Ukrainian city. In neighboring Bakhmut those with nowhere else to go brace for their arrival.
Jul 21, 2022 — Russians looking to advance on Bakhmut city in
Aug 11, 2022 — Pro-Russian separatists claim to have entered Donetsk towns of Soledar and Bakhmut.
Sep 21, 2022 — Russian mercenaries bombard Bakhmut as Moscow searches for a win.
28 Oct 2022
Russian soldiers pummeling Bakhmut with artillery are slowly edging closer to the eastern Ukrainian city.
Nov 28, 2022 — Fighting in east Ukraine descends into trench warfare as Russia seeks breakthrough.
December 28, 2022 Russia intensifies attacks on Kherson in Ukraine’s south, Bakhmut in east
January 25, 2023 Russia claims progress in Bakhmut, Ukraine says fighting fierce
25 Feb 2023 IS RUSSIA CLOSING THE CAULDRON AROUND BAKHMUT?
When are the barbarians supposed to conquer Kyiv? A year ago wasn’t it?
Some superpower ya got there, comrade!
When are the barbarians supposed to conquer Kyiv? A year ago wasn’t it?
Some superpower ya got there, comrade!
Any article that refers to “denazifying” terrain is pure crap.
I regularly read and listen to a lot of sources slanted from both sides. And that includes the channel to which you linked (and I’ve always smiled at his Bela Lugosi like Dracula accent). Somewhere within them all lies the truth.
More Timber Rattler drivel.
“Both Russian and Ukie MOD maps show at least 10 Ukie Battalions in severe entrapment.”
There was video of two squatting Ukrainian POWs asking for a last cigarette. The Russian said something to the effect: “What the hell are you talking about, we’re going to take you to a camp, behind the lines.”
We've certainly heard various parties claim that Russia wanted to overrun Kiev, or Kyiv, or Keeeve or whatever we're supposed to be calling it now, but to the best of my awareness, Russia has never claimed to want to occupy that city, or the surrounding territory for that matter.
What Putin himself has said is this: "People living in Luhansk and Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhia are becoming our citizens. Forever." And that is exactly what is happening on the ground.
“ Wow...that is pretty one sided…”
********************************
Yes, it does have a pro-Russian slant but Dima is among the most accurate reporters. He does not sugarcoat things when the Russians have screwed up or are proceeding to do something stupid. And he readily acknowledges when the Ukrainians have made a good move or are doing something smart.
I’ve been trying to follow the evolving military tactical and strategic situation on the ground and, for that purpose, listening/reading from both sides is essential. I skip the pure propaganda and cheerleading sites (on both sides) as they are definitely not helpful and are actually counterproductive if you let their BS get in your head.
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