Russia takes Bakhmut — but the battle continues

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May 26, 2023

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The battle for Bakhmut has been a subject of debate, with both Ukraine and Russia claiming victory. Russia has declared that they have taken the entire city, while Ukraine insists that their forces still hold out in a small pocket of high-rise buildings. A closer examination of the situation reveals that Russia has methodically captured the city house by house, with Ukraine’s forces being pushed back to a small area in the southwestern part of the city. This has led to a discussion about whether the battle is over or not. However, it’s crucial to understand that the battle has actually entered a new phase, with the fighting now taking place around the city rather than within it.

The battle for Bakhmut has been a complex and ongoing process, with different phases and tactics employed by both sides. The Russians initially pushed to enter the city, but were repelled by Ukrainian forces. They then focused on encircling the city, attempting to trap a large number of Ukrainian soldiers. Ukraine’s strategy has been to make the Russians fight for every house, allowing them to inflict significant casualties while minimizing their own losses. This tactic has been effective, but is not sustainable in the long term.

The situation is set to change as Ukraine prepares to launch a larger counteroffensive, with the current fighting being a precursor to this effort. Ultimately, the importance of Bakhmut lies in its ability to drain Russian resources, and Ukraine’s strategy to date of using urban warfare to wear down the Russians will likely give way to a larger-scale attack in the future.