Russian army near Bakhmut loses enthusiasm. They understand that they won’t conquer Bakhmut by New Year - Ivan Varchenko

Security expert Ivan Varchenko said this on Espreso TV channel.

"Russian troops are going crazy. They need to "place Bakhmut under Putin’s Christmas tree" as a symbol of victory over the Ukrainian people. They have made it the "key to Ukraine," but they will not succeed. Putin is deceived by his military leaders, who are afraid to tell him that they have actually lost and have no chance to take the city," he said.

In his opinion, they are ready to make sacrifices for the sake of ambitions, painful symbolism and to lose tens of thousands of their soldiers to continue this illusion of action.

"The defense of Bakhmut costs a lot of blood to us. We understand that we will not give Russia any chances. This madness will continue for another week or so. When they realize on the 28-29 of December that they will not succeed until the New Year, their enthusiasm will be much less. I am sure that now every private and sergeant are promised high ranks, and every general is promised half of Ukraine for the Bakhmut’s capture. In a few days, they will realize that they are left with absolutely bloodless units and the transition to a deaf defense will be the best scenario for them. The one they can only dream about, but we still need to work for this," Varchenko summed up.