The Russian invaders have been trying to capture Bakhmut, a city where about 70,000 people lived before the war, since about May 2022. Since then, the enemy has suffered huge losses there.
This is stated in the daily report of the Institute for the Study of War. Analysts say geolocation footage released on March 3 confirms that Ukrainian troops have destroyed two critical bridges in the Bakhmut area.
AFU will leave Bakhmut under control – ISW
One of the bridges across the Bakhmutovka River in the northeastern part of the city and one on the way to Khromovo village, west of Bakhmut.
“The prevention of bridge destruction likely indicates that Ukrainian troops may be trying to interfere with Russian movement in the east of Bakhmut and limit the potential exit routes of the occupiers from Bakhmut to the west,” the report notes.
The report cites Oleksandr Rodnyansky, an adviser to the President of Ukraine, who said on February 28 that if necessary, Ukrainian forces could withdraw from their positions in Bakhmut.
Then he also said that the Armed Forces of Ukraine had fortified the territory west of Bakhmut so that even if the Ukrainian troops began to retreat, the occupiers would definitely not be able to quickly take the entire city.
“If the Ukrainian command deems it necessary to retreat from Bakhmut, judging by the statements and data on the actions of Ukraine, it is likely to carry out a limited and controlled withdrawal from the especially difficult areas of eastern Bakhmut,” experts suggest.
What is known about the situation in Bakhmut: latest news
- Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov stressed that the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to defend the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region. According to him, the situation there is complicated, but controlled by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
- The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the enemy did not leave attempts to surround the city of Bakhmut. During the day, our defenders repulsed numerous attacks in several areas of settlements in the Donetsk region.
- Serhiy Cherevaty, the speaker of the Eastern Group of Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, stressed that at present the Ukrainian command has not made a decision on the withdrawal of the Defense Forces from the city. There are still opportunities to keep Bakhmut.
- Today, March 3, it became known that the tactical aerial reconnaissance group “Madyar Birds” is being withdrawn from Bakhmut. The unit defended the fortress city for more than 100 days.
