Bakhmut's defence continues to degrade forces on both sides – UK Intelligence
The Ukrainian defence of Bakhmut continues to degrade forces on both sides.
Source: UK Defence Intelligence review; European Pravda
Over the weekend, Ukrainian forces likely stabilised their defensive perimeter following previous Russian advances into the north of the town, the report states.
A Russian strike destroyed a bridge over the only paved supply road into Bakhmut still under Ukrainian control around 2 March. Muddy conditions are likely hampering Ukrainian resupply efforts as they increasingly resort to using unpaved tracks.
Public disagreements between the Wagner Group and the Russian Ministry of Defence over the allocation of munitions highlights the difficulty in sustaining the high levels of personnel and ammunition required to advance with their current tactics.
Background:
- NATO intelligence estimates the losses of the Russian side in the battles for Bakhmut as being five times higher than the Ukrainian losses.
- Major General of the Armed Forces of Austria Bruno Hofbauer believes that the city of Bakhmut will not fall in the near future.
- Instead, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut was of more symbolic than operational importance, and its fall would not necessarily mean that Moscow had regained the initiative in the war.
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