After weeks of intense fighting, Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Lt Gen Valerii Zaluzhnyi, has announced that the battle for Bakhmut is stabilizing despite tremendous efforts from both sides. While military analysts believe that Bakhmut has little strategic value, Russia has been keen for a victory after failing to make significant gains in the area.
On Thursday, the commander of Ukraine’s ground forces revealed that Russian troops near Bakhmut were exhausted, which could present an opportunity for Ukraine to launch a counter-offensive, as they have done in previous battles. The private mercenary organization, Wagner, which has been at the heart of Russia’s assault on Bakhmut, is also reportedly being exhausted by Ukrainian forces.
The capture of Bakhmut would bring Russia slightly closer to controlling the whole of Donetsk region, which was one of four regions in eastern and southern Ukraine that were illegally annexed by Russia in September last year. Despite the ongoing conflict, Ukraine’s military is determined to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
BBC
