Hold on to Bakhmut (Red Army City), or withdraw to save the troops? Ukraine faces a painful choice
According to the Washington Post on June 6, Ukraine is facing a difficult strategic choice - whether to continue holding on to Bakhmut or withdraw to preserve its forces. Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022, this city has been an important fortress for Ukrainian forces resisting Russian offensives. If captured by the Russians, it will be a major victory for the Kremlin in public opinion.
Several military experts pointed out that the Ukrainian army may have reached the moment when it must retreat in order to preserve strength for future defense operations. The city of Bakhmut is now almost a ruin, with only stray dogs wandering the streets. The Russians drop gliding bombs into the city every hour, and drones frequently circle in the air. According to the Ukrainian military's estimate, the number of Russian drones in the area is about ten times that of the Ukrainian ones.
The Ukrainian defenders admitted to foreign media that the composition of some units was less than 20% of their original strength. A reconnaissance platoon leader from the 68th Brigade said frankly: "We should have evacuated long ago. Such losses are meaningless."
Pylyskov, a researcher at the Ukrainian Institute of National Strategy and an analyst at the non-profit organization "Come Back Alive," pointed out that Putin is likely to use the fall of Bakhmut as a psychological warfare tool in international public opinion. He may use it as a propaganda tool to claim to US President Trump that the Russian forces will ultimately win, and that aid to Ukraine is just a waste of American resources.
The Wall Street Journal reported the same day that once the Russian forces completely control Bakhmut, it will further strengthen Putin's narrative of "victory in sight" and may also affect the policy stance of the Trump administration towards aid to Kyiv. (Village Cat)
Photo: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy (center) took a photo with soldiers near the front-line city of Bakhmut in Donetsk region on the 4th. (AP)
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1848207960606723/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.