Battlefield Bakhmut: Why Russia & Ukraine are Fighting Over this City (TheNewAtlas)

Update on Russian military operations in Ukraine for December 21, 2022:

- Pentagon admits Russia is gaining ground in Bakhmut;
- Zelensky visit to Bakhmut mirrors similar visit to Lysychansk before it fell to Russian forces;
- Western media admits Russia has Ukraine outgunned 6 to 1 in Bakhmut;
- Claims that Russian losses are as significant as catastrophic toll Ukraine is suffering in Bakhmut does not reflect reality if Russia outguns Ukraine significantly;
- Bakhmut is a significant transportation hub and a crucial fortified position along one of Ukraine's last major defensive lines in the east;
- The fall of Bakhmut may lead to a similar breakthrough like Popasna;
- Russian forces appear interested in destroying Ukraine's military at Bakhmut more than taking the city itself;



[Posted at the SpookyWeather2 blog, December 23, 2022.]