Zelensky’s fears came true!
Bakhmut is a city in eastern Ukraine, in the Donetsk region. This place was a major center of regional transport and military supplies. Bakhmut is part of the largely Russian-speaking industrial Donbas region. Russia has always wanted to link it with its military operation. But if the capture of Bakhmut is correct, then two major cities of the Donetsk region – Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, will come under the control of Russia. Russia has wanted to correct for a long time. Russia needs to capture both these areas to fulfill the dream of independence of ‘People’s Republic of Donetsk’. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told CNN in March this year that he feared that if Russia captured Bakhmut, it would have a way to capture the two cities.
The attacks continued for a year
Bakhmut, located close to Chasiv Yar, was the first town to come under Russian attack. However, the site is at a height and the Ukrainian army is believed to have built defensive fortifications around it. Western analysts and diplomats believe that the Russian military will be able to quickly capitalize on the capture of Bakhmut. They started shelling the city a year ago. In August, the Russian army attacked it and since then it suffered huge losses. The capture of Bakhmut would make it easier for the Russians to capture cities such as Sloviansk.
PM Modi Zelenskyy Talks: Why did Zelensky say ‘Thank you India’, what did he ask for Ukraine during the meeting with PM Modi?Both Ukraine and Russia have said that the Battle of Bakhmut is important to eliminate each other’s forces. Russia calls Bakhmut by its Soviet-era name, Artyomovsk. World War I Battle of Bakhmut The Battle of Bakhmut consisted of rocket attacks as well as numerous skirmishes and airstrikes. Most of the city was destroyed in these attacks. The population of 70 to 80 thousand of the city had left the city.
Victory will boost Putin’s morale
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said that the survivors were forced to live in underground bunkers under heavy shelling. If confirmed, Bakhmut would be Russia’s first major capture since July last year. After several defeats, this battle will be a morale-boosting victory for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The capture of the city would also be a psychological victory for Wagner and its founder Prigozhin, Russia’s most high-profile private army. Western countries label Prigozhin, 61, as a former criminal. It is clear that Prigozhin is trying to bring the wagon to success on the battlefield and to its political influence.
