AFU actions in Bakhmut refute all Russian propagandist statements. Serhiy Zgurets column

Russian troops continue their attacks on Bakhmut

According to reports from Western and Ukrainian media, the Russian army's planned winter offensive has failed, and they were unable to achieve their primary goal of reaching the administrative borders of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

The Institute for the Study of War has reported that the Russian troops are experiencing exhaustion and a culmination of hostilities around Bakhmut and Avdiivka. However, the enemy is still attempting offensive actions despite resource depletion. Recently, the commander of the Ground Forces, Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi, met with Ukrainian soldiers and commanders who had once again destroyed the myth of the invincibility of the Wagner Group and Russian paratroopers. He acknowledged that the enemy is weakening and trying to conceal its failures with new fakes. The Ukrainian army's actions refute all Russian propagandists' statements regarding Bakhmut.

Yesterday, there was news that the Armed Forces of Ukraine used the Tochka-U tactical missile complex to strike Russian troops, particularly the Wagner PMC division located in the Azom enterprise's territory. Despite the significant losses, the enemy continues to pressure Ukrainian positions, even in urban areas, as Russian units attempt to advance to the city center. Nevertheless, as long as the logistics and support for the Ukrainian army in Bakhmut remain intact, the defense of the city can endure for a prolonged period.

It is still too early to talk about parity in artillery and ammunition 

According to Volodymyr Nazarenko, deputy commander of the Svoboda battalion, the situation in Bakhmut remains critical and tense. Despite this, Ukrainian units are holding the defense reliably, although it cannot be described as a purely positional defense, given the dynamic situation. Ukrainian units attempt to counterattack on occasion. Nazarenko stressed that logistics and communication with Bakhmut are of utmost importance, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine have sufficient resources to defend the city.

Nazarenko also acknowledged that it is premature to claim parity with the enemy in terms of artillery. Currently, Russian troops possess a one-to-three advantage in artillery and ammunition. However, Nazarenko emphasized that the tactics used with artillery must be considered. The Russian artillery school emphasizes quantity over accuracy, resulting in indiscriminate firing. This approach undermines the Russian army's ability to accomplish its objectives.

Poland transfers the first MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine

It has been reported that Poland has transferred MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine. The Head of the Office of the President of Poland for International Relations confirmed this in an interview with Polish radio and stated that these aircraft are currently engaged in combat missions in Ukraine. However, the exact number of aircraft transferred was not disclosed. Poland had initially planned to transfer a total of 14 MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine, so it is likely that the first batch of four aircraft has been handed over to the Ukrainian Air Force. The details regarding which specific version of the MiG-29 Poland has transferred to Ukraine remain unclear. Poland had a total of 28 fighters of this type, with 15 of them undergoing deep modernization. While it would be preferable to receive modernized aircraft, it should be noted that even modernized Slovak and Polish MiG-29s are unable to use AIM-120 missiles.

Rheinmetall deploys a service hub for the repair of the AFU equipment in Romania

The announcement of Rheinmetall, the German defense concern, establishing a service center for repairing equipment in Romania for Ukraine is significant news. Currently, three repair service centers have been established in Lithuania and Slovakia. The new center in Romania will provide maintenance and repairs for all German tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, including British Challenger tanks that undergo modernization by Rheinmetall. This development is crucial since losses of equipment are expected in any conflict, regardless of its strength and modernity. Therefore, the rapid restoration of such equipment is essential. Having repair centers closer to the Ukrainian border will facilitate this process and allow for quicker recovery.