war in Ukraine
Bachmut – that’s why the Ukrainians are clinging to the last blocks of flats
Ukrainian fighter near Bakhmut.
© Lipkos / DPA
The “citadel” in Bakhmut has fallen, and the battle for the city is hopeless. But there’s a reason the last defenders haven’t retreated yet.
Bachmut withstands – but why? In the last few days, the Ukrainian defenders were thrown out of the fortified area of the citadel. The western edge of the city is now in Russian hands. Kiev’s troops retreated across the fields and hold a line of trees between Ivanivske and Bakhmut. To do this, they cling to the south-western tip. In military jargon, the zone is called “airplane”. The last strongholds of defense are the high apartment blocks at the far end of the city – codenamed “Tetris”. The surrounding flat development cannot be held up militarily and is likely to be in ruins by now.
Stunning Russian firepower
During the night, the entire Ukrainian zone was shelled and large parts caught fire as incendiary devices rained down on the defenders’ positions. The Russians will try to drive the Ukrainians out of the sparsely populated residential area, thus isolating the last row of high-rise buildings in Ukrainian hands. In the city, there is little chance that the defenders will be able to retake territory again. They are also unlikely to be able to withstand the massive firepower of the Wagner mercenaries for long.
Coordinated withdrawal
So what is the purpose of resistance? The in itself hopeless fight in this zone serves to cover the retreat of the troops from Bakhmut over the undeveloped area to Ivanivske and to set up a new defense there, which will probably be supplemented with a front line along an existing row of trees. The foothills of Ivanivske are only about 2.5 kilometers from Bakhmut. Here, too, the distances are small. The worst thing that could happen to Ukraine right now would be a chaotic retreat, which the Russians could use to get past the small arable zone and gain a foothold in the nearest settlement.
Last attempt at flank attack near Bachmut
At the same time, Kiev has not given up trying to gain one more victory in the Bakhmut area, thereby endangering the Russian position in the city. On both flanks of Bakhmut Kiev carried out two attacks. In both places it was possible to drive the Russians out of the first line and occupy their trenches and open ground. But there was no breakthrough. The Russians were able to occupy and hold another line. Meanwhile, their troops were reinforced. But in the last few days, Ukraine has continued to attack in the south. The destination is Klischchiivka. The place itself is difficult to defend, it’s in a hollow. But so far the Russians have been able to hold the fortified ridge in front of the city, while the Ukrainians have slowly been able to work their way closer to the Russian positions. The Ukrainian attack has lost the original element of surprise, the Russian troops are stronger and they occupied the better positions. Nevertheless, they continue to attack and try to bypass the system of Russian trenches.
If the last tip of Bachmut falls, the chances of success on the flank are slim. It is to be feared that the Russians would then attack the attack on their flank and the Ukrainians would withdraw. The firepower of their artillery, so far concentrated in the city, would hit the improvised fortifications of the Ukrainian forces. At the same time, the bulk of the Wagner troops in Bachmut would be free and could be deployed elsewhere. In short, it’s a risky move and the time is running out for Kiev to achieve substantial counterattack success in this zone.