Although the Ukrainian General Staff claims that the fighting continues, everything indicates that Soledar has finally fallen. Now it’s Bakhmut’s turn. And then ?
Geotagged photos show only about 15 percent. part of the city is still in Ukrainian hands – this is the northwestern edge, up to the Bakhmut-Sołedar-Siewiersk railway line. Further, there is one more piece of buildings, which ends on the parallel Bachmut-Siewiersk road. The 46th Airmobile Brigade and the 61st Motorized Infantry Brigade are defending here, supported to the east by the 17th Armored Brigade. Each operates on a section of about 1 km – in an open area it would be a bit tight, but the city attracts soldiers like a sponge with water.
War of Lieutenants and Sergeants
Each parallel street is a separate battle arena, where decisions are made by the company commander, and sometimes the platoon commander, as the battalion commander has no chance of observing the actions of all three companies at the same time. They fight isolated from each other, in their streets, in buildings, in courtyards, in basements. It all depends on individual platoons and even teams – the action in the city is a war between lieutenants and sergeants.
Artillery and mortar support is also very difficult. That’s why he’s doing so well Wagner Groupfull of retired captains, majors or lieutenant colonels with extensive experience of service in the airborne troops or special forces – they command groups of soldiers, junior mercenaries, former non-commissioned officers or contract officers of the Russian army, and former paratroopers and special forces are welcome. On one side is an experienced veteran and on the other a reserve second lieutenant who has completed an officer’s course and a short refresher course. Despite the will to fight, courage, motivation, experience and the ability to assess the situation – it is very difficult to make decisions under the influence of strong combat stress and in a lack of time .
