Ukrainian troops hold the western part of the city, hiding in buildings. They repel Russian frontal attacks from the east, but remain vulnerable to encirclement from the north and south.
The fighters of PMC “Wagner” advanced in Bakhmut, capturing a significant part of the city. The British Ministry of Defense announced this on March 11 in a fresh intelligence report on the situation in Ukraine on the page in Twitter.
Over the past four days, the Wagnerites have captured most of the eastern districts of Bakhmut, shifting the front line to the Bakhmutka River, which flows in the city center. Ukrainian troops still hold the western part and have destroyed key bridges across Bakhmutka. It is noted that the river flows from north to south along a strip of open area from 200 to 800 meters wide between settlements.
Map of hostilities in Bakhmut according to the Deep State service
Photo: screenshot
PMC “Wagner” are trying to continue the offensive to the west, but the defenders can fire from the fortifications, equipped in buildings, stopping frontal attacks. British intelligence officers believe that this will greatly complicate the advance of the Russians deep into Bakhmut. At the same time, the Ukrainian Armed Forces and their supply lines remain vulnerable as Russian forces attempt to outflank them from the north and south.
On March 9, retired US Air Force Colonel Cedric Leighton suggested that Bakhmut could be the last battle for the Wagner PMC. Now they are losing a lot of people and weapons, which may soon end. Because of this, the group is on the verge of extinction.
Focus wrote why the defense of Bakhmut is so important for Ukraine and why the Armed Forces of Ukraine are not withdrawing troops. Last week, the Ukrainian command sent reinforcements to the city, determined to hold it despite heavy losses. According to Western media, President Volodymyr Zelensky called for the continuation of the defense, while the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny insisted on a retreat to save personnel.
