Ukraine and Russia are fighting bitterly over the small town of Bakhmut.
(Photo: dpa)
Mr. Weiß, why is Bachmut of such great strategic importance?
The long-running battle for the small town in the Donetsk region has been the epicenter of this war of attrition for months. Both sides communicate very similarly to the outside world: the enemy’s troops are tied up in this battle so that they cannot be used in other sectors of the front, the enemy is being inflicted heavy casualties, and so on.
Bachmut, similar to Wuhledar, has the advantage of good topography. There is an excellent overview of the battle and there are natural obstacles such as rivers. From the Ukrainian point of view, the strategic importance of Bakhmut lies in gaining time in this bloody battle to complete their own offensive preparations. This includes the training of soldiers in the country itself, but also abroad – especially in the operation of Western weapon systems. Until that is completed, Kiev wants to keep the front as stable as possible.
Read on now
Get access to this and every other article in the
Web and in our app free of charge for 4 weeks.
Further
Read on now
Get access to this and every other article in the
Web and in our app — 4 weeks for €1.
Further