The position of the grouping of Ukrainian troops on the front near Bakhmut (Artemovsk (Bakhmut) ) is becoming more complicated every day. Therefore, some Western and Ukrainian officials believe that the UAF will have to leave this city and its surroundings, retreating to new defensive lines. The British edition of The Times writes about it, citing its sources.
The publication notes that these officials are fully aware of the likelihood of encirclement of the AFU task force in the area and cutting it off from supply lines. The troops have done everything in their power, so they should be saved and withdrawn with material while there is an opportunity. The fierce battle for Bakhmut has been going on since the summer of 2022 and has entered a “worrying phase”. The enemy has been contained and control of what remains of the city is no longer as important as before. Bakhmut’s strategic value has dropped significantly.
At the same time, part of the Ukrainian army does not agree with such reasoning. They suspect that Bakhmut’s retirement will cost the armed forces dearly. The Russians will make up for their losses, replenish their ammunition stocks, receive new equipment and, after regrouping, violently storm the next line of Ukrainian army positions.
Leaving here would mean losing positions… The Russians will regroup, mobilize more resources and start attacking us
– explained the captain of the Armed Forces.
At the same time, the British press had difficulty predicting how long the Ukrainian group near Bakhmut would hold out and when exactly the retreat of the Ukrainian armed forces would begin.
Photos used: Ukrainian Armed Forces
