New AFU Operation In Bakhmut: Russians Being ‘Trapped’

The Ukrainian troops crossed an important line, surrounding the city.

In the Bakhmut area, a decrease in the pace of Russian offensive operations has been observed. The Armed Forces of Ukraine may start a new phase of operations in this direction and complicate the planned Russian operation to replace the positions of Wagner PMC with the Russian regular troops in the city.

This is stated in the analytics of the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

According to Russian military bloggers, Ukrainian forces launched successful counterattacks in the area of Orekhove-Vasylivka (11 km northwest of Bakhmut) and Klischivka (7 km southwest of Bakhmut), which forced the Wagner units to retreat a kilometer away from the previously occupied positions in the area.

It is also alleged that Ukrainian forces have captured high ground along the E40 (Bakhmut-Slovyansk) highway near Orekhove-Vasylivka, and that fighting continues in the area. At the same time, Ukrainian forces advanced towards Klishchivka and crossed the Seversky Donets Canal, possibly threatening to encircle the town and force Russian forces to retreat eastwards.

The ISW estimates that Russian forces may find it difficult to replace Wagner units in Bakhmut, with successful limited and localized Ukrainian counterattacks making their task more complicated.

“The slowdown in Russian offensive operations in the Bakhmut area and reports of an ongoing aid rendering operation on the ground are likely to give Ukrainian forces in the area the initiative to launch a new phase of operations around the city if they desire so,” the ISW analysts said.