Therefore, the Russians simply cannot capture Bakhmut

Considered Ukraine’s eastern fortress, it has been in the crosshairs of Russian troops for months: the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.

Although their strategic importance is not evident, Putin, led by Wagner troops, wants to conquer the city of 74,000 inhabitants at all costs. At the same time, the Ukrainians are trying by all means to maintain their positions.

The result: a grueling battle that neither side can win. Instead, a stalemate ensues: both camps miss the opportunity to move forward. Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigoschin (61) also feels that the offensive is faltering. In a video he speaks out and explains why his troops cannot take Bakhmut.

Hundreds of lines of defense across the city

“In Bachmut, every house represents a fortress,” says the Wagner boss. His soldiers would fight for every house. “Sometimes it takes them more than a day to conquer a house, sometimes even weeks.”

The problem lies in the strong defense of the Ukrainian armed forces. Breaking through their defenses is a huge challenge. Prigozhin speaks of hundreds of defense lines scattered around the city. “In Artemivsk there is a line of defense every ten meters at least,” says the boss of the mercenary group in the video.

With Artemivsk, the Wagner chief refers to the city of Bakhmut. From 1924 to 2016, Bakhmut went by the name of Artemivsk. Due to the dismantling, the abolition of communism in Ukraine, the city was renamed Bakhmut in 2016. The city had carried this name for centuries.

Russians have no tanks and equipment

But not only the strong defense of the Ukrainian forces made it difficult for the Wagner troops. There is also a lack of armored vehicles and equipment everywhere: “We need vehicles, BMP-3 armored personnel carriers and grenades to get through Bachmut faster and more safely,” complains a Wagner mercenary in the video.

It is unclear how long the fighting in Bakhmut will continue. British military experts believe a major breakthrough by the Russian army is unlikely in the coming weeks. This is evident from the daily intelligence update from the Ministry of Defense in London on Tuesday.

Ukrainian troops have strengthened their positions. Russian attacks have therefore been slowing down recently – after reaching a temporary peak in mid-December. Only recently 170 Russian soldiers were killed in Bakhmut. Yet things are not going well for the Ukrainian troops either: “Both sides have suffered heavy casualties,” the statement said. (dzc)