Ukraine War Update: Bakhmut/Soledar Update
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This summary has been produced automatically by an AI Large Language Model (LLM) without any human intervention. Whilst every effort has been made to prompt the LLM to produce accurate output, there may be inconsistencies, inaccuracies or hallucinations!
Table of Contents 📖
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"This is war is relentless. This is so important to understanding what's going on here right if if you are taking this as as what the Ukrainians are intending in general Bakhmut has been, the intention was to fix Russian forces so they'll be exhausted. So that even if they do take Bakhmut, they will be unable to move on to take Kramatorsk, Lvoviansk and possibly even Seversk and all the communities in between."
Hello Team!
Jonathan provides an update on the situation in Bakhmut and Soledar, noting it is not a full frontline update. He mentions having to re-record the video multiple times.
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Situation in Soledar
- Russians are pushing north of Soledar towards Roslivka and Vesele, but there are Ukrainian defenses that could be difficult for them to overcome
- Various Russian troops are active in the Bakhmut area including VDV airborne troops, regular Russian troops, LPR, and Wagner mercenaries
- The road and railway line behind Soledar are important logistical routes and likely to act as a new defensive line for Ukrainians evacuating Soledar
- The northwestern outskirts of Soledar, including the Sol railway station, are still under Ukrainian control
- A video from 2-3 days ago showed an M113 APC doing a medevac in an area Jonathan geolocated as being in front of an aggregate pit, not in central Soledar which is now fully under Russian control
- NOAA reports indicate Ukrainian forces remain in parts of northwestern Soledar, with Russian recon forces spotted but unclear if they have a foothold
- Defmon and other sources estimate Russians control 75-100% of Soledar
- A Ukrainian soldier told CNN the situation is "very difficult" with the next 24 hours being crucial. Russians are jamming Ukrainian communications making coordination extremely difficult.
Russian Losses and Gains
- Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin claims Soledar has been fully liberated with 500 Ukrainian fighters killed. Take this with a "pinch of salt" but losses were likely costly for Ukrainians
- However, the Russians have also suffered huge losses with entire units taken out by Ukrainian artillery
- There are claims a Ukrainian Tochka cruise missile strike killed over 100 Russian soldiers grouped together in Soledar
- Footage shows Ukrainian soldiers' bodies looted by Wagner mercenaries for equipment like helmets and vests, possibly indicating Russians lack good equipment
- Reports of Russians dressed as Ukrainians causing havoc in Soledar
- Horrific footage allegedly shows a Russian in Ukrainian uniform shooting Ukrainians in a foxhole after a tussle when they said "we're friendlies" - if true, this would be a war crime
- Losses are likely horrendous on both sides but the Russians "almost certainly" lost a lot more as they throw waves of expendable convict troops first followed by well-trained Wagner troops to exploit weaknesses
Civilian Situation and Russian Gains
- Over 500 civilians, including children, decided to stay in Soledar with 90% being pro-Russian and waiting for "liberators"
- If Soledar falls to Russia, the men will likely be forcibly recruited and children sent to foster homes in Russia
- Even if Russia takes Soledar and makes a "propaganda show", occupying the rest of Donetsk would mean taking another 20 towns the size of Bakhmut
- Russian troops composed of 1/3 Luhansk mobilized troops, 1/3 regular Russian/VDV, and 1/3 Wagner troops (including recruited prisoners used as cannon fodder)
Lancet Drone Threat and Bakhmut Situation
- Lancet drones continue to pose a threat, with footage showing two Lancets taking out a Ukrainian Crab self-propelled gun
- Short-range air defense and vehicle active anti-missile/drone point defense is needed to counter this
- In the Bakhmut area:
- Russians claim to have captured Pidhorodne which gives them ability to attack northwest to Paraskoviivka, north to Krasna Hora, and take the road northwest
- Attempted Russian advance through industrial district with marginal gains in Opytne
- A Russian reporter claims they are advancing on Patrice Lumumba Street and doing well in the industrial area
- No news on Ivanivske or the waste sorting plant
- Russians wasting enormous combat potential in Bakhmut area, using both prisoners and VDV airborne troops
- Ukrainians repulsed attacks around Klishchivka which is a "door" to south Bakhmut. Heights west of village are well-fortified and more important than the village itself for defense.
Wrap up
Jonathan notes this topic could have been a separate video given its significance. He thanks viewers for their support and mentions he may be unable to do a Ukraine War Extra video due to attending a funeral. He signs off asking viewers to like, subscribe, and share the video.
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