Bakhmut garrison is stumbling block for Russians, not allowing them to advance northwest

He told Espreso about this.

The military expert explained that the Russians have been attempting to remove the Bakhmut garrison from the city for several months, as it hinders their advancement towards Sloviansk. Currently, the enemy has progressed 15-20 km north of Bakhmut towards Sloviansk. The Bakhmut garrison is now situated behind the Russian forces, which is a precarious position for them. The enemy's further advancement is risky since a well-executed decision with adequate forces and resources can cut off the entire Russian group advancing on Sloviansk from Bakhmut and the exit to Bilohorivka. The Russians recognize the significance of the Bakhmut garrison, which prevents them from moving northwest, making it a bone in their throat.

Roman Svitan remarked that all the forces previously assigned to the Bakhmut garrison are now stationed on the front section from Kostyantynivka to Siversk, where battles occur daily. 

Ukrainian troops repel and counterattack the Russian offensive actions. Recently, the enemy moved to Khromove, a critical supply place for Ukrainian troops in Bakhmut. However, Ukrainian fighters carried out counterattacks and held the corridor, including Bakhmut. The best opportunity to defeat the Russians is in Bakhmut since they are gradually increasing the density of their troops, and Ukrainian troops can conserve ammunition. The primary goal of any army is to destroy the enemy's army, and the most intense fighting is happening in the areas of Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Bilohorivka, which are located 70-90 km from the front line.

• On March 28, the AFU Ground Forces commander Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi said that the AFU priority in Bakhmut is to exhaust and destroy the enemy. 

• On March 29, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that losing Bakhmut could lead to pressure from the international community and Ukrainian society.

• British intelligence reported that the Ukrainian military pushed the Russians away from an important supply route in Bakhmut.