No encirclement threat for Ukrainian troops in Bakhmut now – military expert Svitan

He expressed this opinion on Espreso TV.

"In Bakhmut, certain rotation activities were carried out, motorized rifle units were withdrawn, and the Special Operations Forces entered, which effectively perform tasks among urban buildings. In other words, the Special Operations Forces, assault companies of the National Guard and border guards have now formed the Bakhmut garrison, which is easily supplied from the Chasiv Yar garrison. Bakhmut is also covered by artillery from Chasiv Yar. Therefore, Ukrainian troops in Bakhmut are not under any threat of encirclement or operational encirclement," commented the military expert.

Roman Svitan noted that the decision to maintain the tandem garrisons of Chasiv Yar and Bakhmut, which complement each other with artillery and ground troops, was right.

"And Bakhmut is still a fortified area even in its destroyed state. It is a fortified area with hundreds of thousands of tons of reinforced concrete. We will definitely hold this area from the movement of Russian troops and prevent them from advancing further towards Sloviansk, Kramatorsk and Druzhkivka. I believe that Russian troops will be stretched to their maximum capacity here. Russian troops are currently conducting offensives. In the south, they have been stopped by our counterattacks, which means that it is no longer possible for the enemy to reach Chasiv Yar from the south. The enemy is trying to go around from the north, where it also comes under flanking attacks. Our troops from the south and north are meeting and cutting off those units of Russian troops that are trying to break through to Chasiv Yar and semi-circumcise Bakhmut. I believe that the situation is definitely under control, especially after the decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine to continue the defense of this region," Svitan summarized.

• On March 6, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy chaired a regular meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff, at which Zaluzhnyi and Syrskyi spoke in favor of continuing the defense of Bakhmut.

• Director of the Defense Express Media and Consulting Сompany Serhiy Zgurets pointed out that Bakhmut ensured the destruction of a significant number of Russian army personnel.