Ukrainian troops dug in those holes and retook several square miles southwest of Bachmut, but that area’s significance has yet to be demonstrated, Hahn said. “You can’t even call it a huge step forward,” he says. “But Ukraine benefits from it.”
“Benefits for Ukraine”
On the one hand because it results in bad PR for Russia, and on the other hand because it can provide logistical benefits for Ukraine. Both for supplies and for possible collection. ‘But most of all: It’s a logistical setback for Russia if they are to carry out their offensive in that region. After all, they want to surround all of Bachmut.’
No counteroffensive
For Hahn, territorial conquest is not the starting signal for the long-awaited Ukrainian counter-offensive. Although the European-supplied Leopard II tanks are already in action, they are still unable to carry out major operations due to the swampy surface. “This is reported by a general of the German Bundeswehr, who has just been there,” explains Hahn. “There is still land that looks like half a lake, so if Ukraine wants to use tanks at long range in the counteroffensive, it won’t help.