Military officials in Kiev have said that Russia has increased its forces around the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine and moved from a defensive to an offensive position. The Ukrainian Army stated that it was preparing to repulse these attacks.[1]
In May, Russia captured the city of Bakhmut, where the bloodiest clashes of the 20-month war took place. Ukraine launched a counteroffensive in June to retake occupied territory in the south and east of the country, including Bakhmut.[2]
General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of Ukraine’s Land Forces, said, “In the Bakhmut region, the enemy has seriously strengthened its effectiveness and taken active action rather than defense.” Whereas Volodymyr Fityo, Head of Communications of the Command of the Ground Forces of Ukraine, stated that Russian forces were preparing to retake the positions around Bakhmut. [iii]Fityo used the following statements:[iv]
“We saw this, intelligence reported everything. We had made preparations, strengthened our defensive positions, made new plans and brought the supply forces closer. This was no surprise to us.”
Both officials stated that Russian forces are especially active in the regions close to the city of Kupiansk in northeastern Ukraine and that Russia has numerical superiority there.[v]
The report in question said that Russia tried to regain lost positions around Klishchiivka, a village south of Bakhmut, which Ukraine recaptured in September, but failed. It was stated that Russian troops also tried to advance in Synkivka, north of Kupiansk, but were unsuccessful.[vi]
Russia has also focused its efforts on besieging and capturing Avdiivka, a strategic town southwest of Bakhmut.[vii]
These developments develop on the basis of the latest military developments in the city of Bakhmut in the eastern region of Ukraine. According to the information provided based on the statements of Ukrainian official authorities, Russia has increased its military power around Bakhmut and moved from a defensive position to an offensive position. The situation in these regions in 2023 began with the seizure of control of Bakhmut by Russia in May, which hosted one of the bloodiest clashes of the 20-month war. Ukraine, on the other hand, launched a counter-offensive in June to retake the occupied territories in the south and east of the country, including Bakhmut.
According to information received from the Ukrainian General Staff, Russian forces are making preparations to reposition near Bakhmut. However, Ukrainian officials emphasize that this situation is not a surprise to them and state that they are making preparations such as strengthening their defense positions and reinforcing their supply forces.
Another noteworthy issue is that Russian forces are active in regions close to the city of Kupiansk in northeastern Ukraine, and it is stated that Russia has numerical superiority here.This could pose a serious military challenge for Ukraine.
The Ukrainian General Staff states that it is still conducting an active military operation near Bakhmut and announced that its attempts to regain lost positions have failed. As a result, the dynamics of the military conflict in eastern Ukraine are changing and quite noticeable. The issues of how Ukraine prepared and responded to Russian attacks, as well as how Russia responded to this, are important. These developments have the potential to significantly affect the military situation and international relations in the region.
[1] “Ukraine Says it is Ready to Repel Russia’s Offensive Actions in Bakhmut”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-beefs-up-forces-near-bakhmut-switches-defensive-posture-ukraine-commander-2023-10-30/, (Date of Access: 28.12.2023).
[2] “Ukraine Says it is Ready to Repel Russia’s Offensive Actions in Bakhmut”, Yahoo News, https://news.yahoo.com/russia-beefs-forces-near-bakhmut-125012595.html, (Date of Access: 28.12.2023).
[iii] “Ukraine Says it is Ready to Repel Russia’s Offensive Actions in Bakhmut”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-beefs-up-forces-near-bakhmut-switches-defensive-posture-ukraine-commander-2023-10-30/, (Date of Access: 28.12.2023).
[iv] Ibıd
[v] Ibıd
[vi] Ibıd
[vii] Ibıd
