Battles for Bakhmut: Russia amasses 80,000 troops
Russia deploys 80,000 troops towards Bakhmut (Getty Images)
Russia has deployed 80,000 troops to the Bakhmut region. It is unlikely that the occupiers will attack Chasovyi Yar with all these troops, but it raises concerns about it being a preparation for a potential attack on Slovyansk and Kramatorsk, according to RBC-Ukraine's artcle "Avdiivka and Bakhmut situation, possibility of Russian advance on Kupiansk: Frontline overview."
Military expert and former spokesperson for the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Vladyslav Seleznov, said the concentration of resources by the adversary, signaling a possible future attack on the Slovyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration from the Chasiv Yar, Lyman, and Vuhledar directions simultaneously.
"It is difficult to say whether he will have enough resources, but air strikes have intensified significantly over the past few days. If he has a critical advantage, the situation could change radically. Still, there are advances to the south and north of Bakhmut. That is, we are forced to retreat from the positions we took during the summer campaign. I think the main reason is the lack of artillery shells, as the Russians can fire up to 10,000 per day along the entire front, and we respond with only 2,000, so we are not talking about parity," Seleznov explained in an interview.
Regarding the potential attack on Chasiv Yar, military expert Oleksandr Musiienko expressed doubt that the enemy would strike the city with the entire 80,000-strong force.
"As for me, the greatest efforts will be made in Avdiivka, Maryinka, and Lyman-Kupiansk directions. Even statistics show that they are among the leaders in terms of the number of attacks and combat engagements. They will attack in the Bakhmut section, but not with all their forces," he added.
Situation around Bakhmut: Russia has amassed 80,000 troops
Press officer of the 26th artillery brigade, Oleh Kalashnikov, recently reported an increase in pressure, emphasizing that the enemy primarily attacks with infantry rather than heavy equipment.
"Their key area is Chasiv Yar, and they will continue to press. This confirms that they have strengthened their group. Today it is about 80,000 personnel. They have moved the forces of their "volunteer" assault corps here. We can say that they will try to push us through," he said.
In the Bakhmut direction, Russians are attacking the northern flank - the areas of Vesele, Spirne, and Khromove. Positional battles are taking place near Hryhorivka, Bohdanivka, and Ivanivske, and on the southern flank - near Klishchiivka and Andriivka. German BILD analyst Julian Röpke says there is a large number of tanks and armored vehicles. Under their cover, the Russian occupiers are storming positions west of Bakhmut, a few kilometers from Chasiv Yar.
