Russian forces, in addition to occupying Chasiv Yar, also entered the center of another important strategic city, Bakhmut today.
This is an unexpected development. Originally, Russian forces were attacking from multiple directions, preparing to encircle several tens of thousands of Ukrainian defenders inside Bakhmut and complete a full annihilation. However, the troops that broke through in the central line moved too quickly, and the flanks had not yet caught up with the envelopment. The central line has already reached the city's central square and train station, and the fighting is currently intensifying in the area of the municipal building.
The sudden change in the situation turned the overall envelopment into a strategy of dividing and annihilating. Several tens of thousands of defenders have been split into two parts by the Russian forces in the central line. One part has basically entered a small encirclement, while the other part is outside the encirclement waiting to be surrounded. The greatest tragedy for Ukrainian soldiers is that their lives are considered worthless. The front-line commanders had already evacuated a few days ago, but the soldiers, knowing they would soon be surrounded, were not allowed to retreat, and were crushed by the Russian forces until they were all eliminated.
For the Russians, capturing Bakhmut is just a matter of time. It may take two months of urban warfare to completely clear out the several tens of thousands of scattered soldiers. The Russian forces on the flanks are still clearing the residential areas around the city, trying to minimize casualties, and once the encirclement is formed, they will use heavy weapons to cover the area directly.
Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1839158398473216/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.