The tactic may have exposed Russia’s defenses at Bakhmut
(Dan Tri) – The British Ministry of Defense pointed out that Russia’s tactics may have shaken Moscow’s defense line in Bakhmut, causing Ukraine to regain two strategic villages last week.
Ukraine fired M142 HIMARS missiles toward Bakhmut in May (Photo: Getty).
On September 20, the British Ministry of Defense stated that Russia’s previous deployment of troops to the Southern front to strengthen its combat power against Ukraine may have weakened Moscow’s defense system around Bakhmut.
In the latest intelligence update, the British side assessed that Ukrainian forces were `tactically successful` in reclaiming the villages of Klishchiivka and Andriivka, a development that brought Kiev closer to the rear support line.
Ukraine is currently about 8km from Bakhmut and Russia still controls the railway line running along the embankment between Klishchiivka and T 05-13 road – the road Moscow uses to reinforce forces inside the city.
Previously, the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said on September 19 that Russian forces had suffered significant losses after Ukraine’s attacks in Bakhmut.
ISW said Ukraine appeared to have breached Russia’s strategic defense line and recaptured two villages, while Russian forces `may have been exhausted by recent efforts to hold Klishchiivka and Andriivka`.
ISW added that Russian forces `will likely find it difficult to replenish their combat and defensive strength against any Ukrainian offensive activity` in the near term.
Earlier this week, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of the Ukrainian Army, said that some of Russia’s best and most well-trained units had lost their ability to fight on the Bakhmut front, including the Mechanized Rifle Brigade.
Ilia Yevlash, spokesperson for the Ukrainian army on the Eastern front, said that Ukraine’s recovery of Klishchiivka allows Kiev to create a springboard to continue moving forward, aiming to control the logistics routes used by Russia.
Alex Kokcharov, risk analyst for S&P Global Market Intelligence, told Business Insider that Ukraine’s attacks on secondary axes, like Bakhmut, appear to be part of Ukraine’s strategy to draw Russian forces out.
Kokcharov said Ukraine’s advances near Bakhmut could be a `diversionary tactic` aimed at weakening the Russian military presence on the main battlefield south of Orikhiv, in the Zaporizhia region.
Ukraine’s attacks on secondary axes `may force Russia to redeploy troops to these areas,` he predicted.
Ukraine wants to step up its attack on the main axis in Zaporizhia, to open the way to the Sea of Azov and cut off the land corridor connecting the Russian mainland with the Crimean peninsula.
Previously, the British Ministry of Defense also stated that the Ukrainian army is increasing attacks on the Russian army on small islands on the Dnieper River to attract Russian units from the main front in Zaporizhzhia.
ISW said that Ukraine’s strategy is gradually taking effect as Ukrainian forces appear to have achieved steady gains thanks to breakthroughs on the southern front line since the end of August, despite the defense system
Russia has not commented on the above comments.