RUSSIA/UKRAINE: The Wagner mercenary company, which has been targeting eastern Bakhmut, is responsible for half of the fatalities. Russia has been attempting to conquer the city since last year, with most of it under the hands of Moscow and a tiny area to the west still under the control of Ukrainian forces. The conflict has acquired symbolic significance for both sides.
Ukraine is using the conflict to kill as many Russian soldiers as it can and deplete its reserves. Russia’s attempt at an offensive in the Donbas has failed, largely through Bakhmut. Russia has been unable to annex any truly important land.
The US estimates that over 100,000 casualties have been sustained by Russia, including over 20,000 killed in action, since the beginning of December.
John Kirby believes that Russia’s attempted offensive has backfired and that the victims are the Ukrainians, so he is not going to estimate Ukraine’s casualties.
The conquest of Bakhmut would move Russia closer to dominating the entire Donetsk area, one of the four eastern and southern Ukrainian territories annexed by Russia last September.
It is of little strategic importance but has become a focus for Russian commanders, who have found it difficult to provide the Kremlin with any encouraging information.
The Wagner mercenary outfit, which employs prisoners and has a reputation for cruel tactics, has taken a prominent role in the Russian attack on Bakhmut, with its commander Yevgeny Prigozhin putting his name and reputation on it.
He recently threatened to withdraw his troops from Bakhmut and remove Wagner fighters if the Russian defence ministry did not provide them with ammunition. He cautioned that fighters from Wagner could be sent to Mali.
Yevgeny Prigozhin has argued with Russia’s defence ministry and urged the military and media to stop lying to the Russian population in advance of a springtime Ukrainian counteroffensive.
He also praised the “good, correct military operations” and command of the Ukrainian armed forces. He also commended the “good, correct military operations” and command of the Ukrainian armed forces.
On Monday, a senior Ukrainian officer claimed that counterattacks had driven out Russian forces from several locations near Bakhmut, but the situation remained difficult.
Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of Ukraine’s ground forces, claimed that new Russian units, including paratroopers and fighters from Wagner, are “constantly thrown into battle” despite suffering losses. The adversary is unable to seize control of the city, he added.
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