Ukrainian Armed Forces gradually seize initiative in battle for Bakhmut. Military expert Serhiy Zgurets

The enemy continues to storm our positions from 5 directions

Yesterday, our General Staff reported that the Armed Forces repelled enemy attacks in five directions: Lyman, Kupyansk, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Shakhtarsk. Every time I hear these reports from the General Staff, I realize that behind each of these lines are specific commanders and our soldiers. Our faltering defense line depends on their resilience. Sometimes and often each direction depends on a single platoon or company stronghold. You could see how difficult it can be in these areas in the video where two Ukrainian soldiers are holding back an enemy assault. We also have to remember the enormous load our soldiers, who have been on the front line for many months, are undergoing.

Heavy battles for Bakhmut

According to Ukrainian Armed Forces serviceman Yuriy Syrotyuk, the enemy is conducting assault operations in Bakhmut almost around the clock. The Russian troops keep trying to reach the southernmost point of Bakhmut. According to Syrotyuk, the Russians are trying to capture the city for propaganda reasons. The military officer said that the enemy repeats its attacks every day. At first, Russian occupying forces launch artillery strikes and actively use multiple rocket launchers. He also emphasized that in Bakhmut, it is not felt that the enemy lacks ammunition. However, there are situations when the enemy reduces the intensity of its attacks due to heavy losses. But then everything resumes. Due to the active fighting near Bakhmut, the Ukrainian military are tired. According to Syrotyuk, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are holding their positions and are not ready to leave them.

Map of hostilities in Donetsk region as of 22.02

Yuriy Syrotyuk also spoke about the current situation with equipment for Ukrainian units defending Bakhmut. He noted the very good functioning of the American M113 armored personnel carriers. He also said that the military in Bakhmut really need vehicles, particularly pickup trucks. The city is often shelled and it is always difficult to get to the positions. That is why it is very important to increase the number of vehicles, including armored vehicles, to carry out tasks.

Syrotyuk emphasized that the enemy's numerical superiority in personnel remains a major problem on the front line. However, most of the Ukrainian units defending Bakhmut are ready to stand to the end and not give up a single centimeter of Ukrainian land without a fight. Syrotyuk stressed that in case of loss of a stronghold, our military always work to recapture the position. After all, the enemy must know that there will be no easy walk on any part of the front. Thus, the Russian troops will test our Armed Forces for their character.

The enemy tries to advance towards Kupyansk and Lyman

Viktor Kevliuk, an expert at the Center for Defense Strategies, emphasized that over the past week, the fighting has been more like localized combat. On the frontline between Svatove and Kreminna, the enemy is trying to advance towards Kupyansk, Lyman and Siversk. In this area, the enemy has completed the formation of a classical structure of troops. The 6th and 20th Armies of the Russian Federation are lined up in an operational defensive formation. To support this grouping, the enemy keeps 31 separate air assault brigades in occupied Luhansk. The Russian army also managed to create a control system for troops in this area. This is where the Russian General Staff has completed the creation of a classic operational force structure. According to Kevliuk, the actions of the Russian military command in the direction of Kreminna and Svatove will be quite predictable for our military command.

Map of hostilities in Luhansk region as of 22.02

Ukrainian Armed Forces counterattacks near Bakhmut

According to Kevliuk, the situation in the area of Bakhmut has not changed dramatically. The enemy is using various units and private military companies to storm the city. Such actions create chaos and conflicts between mercenaries and regular Russian troops. As for the operational situation, the Russians refused to advance from Klishchiivka through Ivanivske to Chasiv Yar. There have been no large-scale actions in Bakhmut in recent days, only localized clashes between the two sides. However, no advances by the enemy have been observed. Fighting has intensified near Yahidne and Berkhivka. Russians are trying to bypass Bakhmut from the north. Also, according to Kevliuk, the Ukrainian armed forces have been conducting successful counterattacks in Bakhmut over the past week. In particular, the enemy was driven back from several neighborhoods in the eastern part of the city. To summarize, the initiative is gradually shifting from the critical situation in Bakhmut to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.