A Son Of The New American Revolution: Is Ukraine On the Verge of Launching A Counter Offensive at Bakhmut?
I received the following from a friend who is well plugged in with the Ukrainian side. I consider his information reliable:
Volodomyr Zelensky visited Chasov Yar today to kick off an offensive to relieve Bakhmut and push the Russians back. A number of armored and artillery brigades are being moved down from the North to support such a relief operation.
Chasov Yar may be four or so miles from Bakhmut. Zelensky can no longer chance a visit to Bakhmut as he did earlier this month.
As we have noted before there are somewhere between 15 to 20,000 UKA fighting inside Bakhmut, and the UKA area of control is shrinking and also bifurcated between a larger group in the western center of the city and the remainder in the north east of the city.
Sources report that Leopard and Challenger tanks have been moved into position for the relief operation, even though the room for tank operations is not great because of the bad weather, rain and mud.
Read more ….
WNU Editor: In the past few weeks there has been an enormous amount of reporting from Ukrainian and Western media sources of a possible Ukraine counter offensive to push Russian forces out of Bakhmut. Ukraine assembling an army of 80,000 men have been widely reported.
I hope this information is not true.
I understand from the Russian side that in the Bakhmut region there are approximate 25,000 Wagnar assault troops, backed by approximately 40,000 Russian military personal. I also understand that Russia can quickly deploy thousands more if the need arises. You do not have to be a military genius to know that launching an offensive in an environment where the terrain is open and muddy while exposing your forces to massive artillery fire can only end in one thing. Massive losses in both men and equipment.
This blog has been labeling Bakhmut as a meat grinder since the end of last year. If this offensive happens, I will be labeling Bakhmut as a slaughter house.
Update #1: It looks like Ukraine President Zelensky is pouring cold water on a possible Ukraine offensive …. No Ukraine offensive without more weapons – Zelensky (BBC).
Update #2: Ukraine has just lost a critical part of the city to Russian forces …. Wagner in ‘full control’ of AZOM plant in Bakhmut, reports Russian state media (CNN). So much for the Western media media narrative that Russia’s offensive is stalling.
More News On the Battle For Bakhmut
Ukraine eyes an offensive around Bakhmut, as Russian momentum stalls — CNN
Ukraine signals counterattack to come ‘very soon’ as Wagner mercenaries suffer large losses — CNBC
Ukraine plans counter-offensive as Russian troops ‘losing steam’ in Bakhmut — NYPost
Ukraine Says No Letup On Bakhmut Front Despite Claims Russian Offensive Stalling — RFE
Russia’s Bakhmut offensive stalls due to ‘extreme attrition’ of forces — Euronews