For several days it has not been clear what the exact situation is around Bachmoet. But it is certain that the eastern Ukrainian city is about to fall into Russian hands, according to Patrick Bolder. It is a hopeless situation for Ukraine. It is better that they withdraw and create a new line of defence.’
The Russians have lost a lot
However, Bachmoet’s fall doesn’t count as a loss, Bolder says. ‘The operation was successful for Ukraine. It took the Russians a long time. A lot of Russian equipment was broken and a lot of Russian soldiers died.’
For Moscow, which according to the analyst will declare it a great victory, it is therefore nothing more than a Pyrrhic victory. “This is a city with a pre-invasion population of 70,000 that has now been completely torn apart. And even at a strategic level, the city is not so important».
Plus, the Ukrainians saw it coming, Bolder predicts. “No doubt they have good defensive positions further west where they can wreak havoc on the Russians again.”
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