Bakhmut became a trap: in ISW told about significant losses of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation near Donetsk
According to the report of the Analysts of the Institute of War (ISW) on November 30, the Russian military command did not produce lessons from previous campaigns with many casualties and spends a huge resource for the purpose of limited operational or strategic importance. "From the end of May, the Russian forces have constantly spent combat forces on small settlements around Bakhmut, and in the next six months they achieved success only at a distance of about a few kilometers," experts say.
This scheme is very reminiscent of the previous actions of the invaders during the capture of Severodonetsk and Lisichansk at the beginning of the war. That is, the command of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation concentrated large forces to control two cities, which were of limited operational and strategic importance. But during the months of heavy battles, the number of living strength and technique of the enemy has been markedly exhausted.
Experts believe that two cities were captured, but this tactical success turned to a slight operational benefit, since the Russian offensive in the East then reached the climax and stopped on those borders that were occupied in early July. On this basis, the ISW believes that even if Russian troops continue to move to Bakhmut and make Ukrainian defenders leave the city, as it was in Lisichansk, Bakhmut himself will not bring them great operational benefit.
And the losses after grueling fights are much outweighed by any operational advantage that Russians can get from Bakhmut. In addition, the concentration of large forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in this direction allows the Armed Forces to continue counter -offensive operations in other directions, experts summed up.