The Chicago Journal

Bakhmut a pivotal area in Russian invasion

Bakhmut More than a year later, Russia has still not removed its soldiers from Ukraine.

The Ukrainian army decreased its positions in Bakhmut in the latter weeks of February and early March.

Notwithstanding the redeployment, they have not turned over control of the city to Russian forces.

Instead, the strategy is likely to cut mortality while luring Russian forces.

The conquest

President Vladimir Putin of Russia has declared war on the Donbas area, namely the eastern provinces of Luhansk and Donetsk.

Bakhmut in Donetsk, he claims, is the solution.

“We understand that after Bakhmut, they could go farther,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. 

“They could go to Kramatorsk. They could go to Sloviansk. It would be open road for the Russians after Bakhmut to other towns in Ukraine in the Donetsk direction.”

Ukraine has retained Bakhmut for as long as necessary.

Focus on the city

They beefed up their soldiers with special forces on Sunday, while Russian fighters from the Wagner mercenary outfit invaded the northern suburbs.

His top commanders, according to Zelensky, want to continue the defense operation and improve their position in Bakhmut.

Despite his lack of detail, the Center for the Study of War decided that Bakhmut had hampered the Russians by diverting their focus away from other sectors of the front.

“The Ukrainian defense of Bakhmut remains strategically sound as it continues to consume Russian manpower and equipment as long as Ukrainian forces do not suffer excessive casualties,” said the Study of War.

“Russian forces are unlikely to quickly secure significant territorial gains when conducting urban warfare, which usually favors the defender and can allow Ukrainian forces to inflict high casualties on advancing Russian units – even as Ukrainian forces are actively withdrawing.”

Crunching some figures

Ukraine lost one soldier for every seven Russians in Bakhmut, according to Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council.

According to US White House officials, as of February 17, the Wagner Group, which has centered its operations in the Bakhmut area, has sustained 30,000 casualties, including over 9,000 fatalities.

Russia is anticipated to commit 190,000 soldiers to the February 24, 2022 strike.

They’ve acquired 316,000 since then.

Ukraine is said to have slain about 150,000 Russian servicemen.

But, Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, Kyrlo Budanov, told USA Today that Russia’s fatalities made mounting a big attack after spring difficult.

“Russia has wasted huge amounts of human resources, armaments, and materials,” said Budanov.

“Its economy and productions are not able to cover these losses. If Russia’s military fails in its aims this spring, it will be out of military tools.”

Read also: Lloyd Austin traveled to Baghdad in a show of support

Controlling the withdrawal

Ukraine began its pullout from Bakhmut on February 28.

A tactical withdrawal, according to presidential adviser Alexander Rodnyansky, was not out of the cards.

“So far [our troops] have held the city but if need be, they will strategically back because we’re not going to sacrifice all of our people just for nothing,” he elaborated.

Serhiy Rakhmanin, a Ukrainian Parliamentarian, added along, saying:

“I believe that sooner or later, we will probably have to leave Bakhmut. There is no sense in holding it at any cost.”

“But for the moment, Bakhmut will be defended with several aims,” he added.

“Firstly, to inflict as many Russian losses as possible and make Russia use its ammunition and resources.”

Halting advances

Despite Zelesnky’s assertion that their forces had control of the sector of the front, Ukraine’s army general command claimed on March 1 that Russian troops were still marching towards Bakhmut.

Two days later, Ukrainian soldiers began blowing up bridges near Bakhmut, indicating a limited withdrawal.

One bridge connects the city’s eastern and western halves, while another runs west of Bakhmut to Khromov.

If Bakhmut surrendered, Ukrainian forces planned to obstruct Russian advances in the city and postpone quick deployment.

Russian military problems

Wagner CEO Yevgeny Prigozhin declared in a Telegram video:

“Units of the private military Wagner have practically surrounded Bakhmut. Only one route [out] is left. The pincers are closing.”

Prigozhin is also having issues, stating on social media that the Russian military ministry is not giving him enough ammo to complete the mission.

In a letter, he emphasized the need of providing ammunition to the commander of Russia’s military assault in Ukraine.

“On March 6, at 8 o’clock in the morning, my representative at the headquarters had his pass canceled and was denied access to the group’s headquarters,” he wrote.

The Russian defense ministry, on the other hand, has been wary of Yevgeny Prigozhin, who has boasted about the capabilities of his organization while insinuating that the Russian military is weak.

Prigozhin claimed possession of half of Bakhmut on Wednesday, and geolocated footage corroborated his assertions that Ukraine had been forced to the west side of the river.

Joe Biden goes the extra mile in act of commitment to Ukraine

Joe Biden Since more than a year ago, Washington has helped Ukraine thwart Russian assaults.

The United States’ support for Ukraine was demonstrated by President Joe Biden’s trip to Kiev on Monday.

Biden’s clandestine visit revealed his commitment to supporting the nation in its conflict with Russia.

The news

Due to his timing, Biden’s covert journey to Kyiv was extremely significant for the invasion.

Reports state that the invaders are getting ready for a spring offensive as Ukraine works to quickly recapture the area.

Air raid sirens were audible across Kyiv during the visit, and President Volodymyr Zelesnky and Biden were observed strolling through St. Michael’s Church.

The US President arrived at the Mariinsky Palace in Kyiv at 8 am local time after a lengthy journey from Washington.

Biden was greeted and praised for visiting by Zelensky.

President Joe Biden said that the US will give $500 million in help to Ukraine during the visit.

The package includes the following:

  • Artillery ammunition
  • More javelins
  • Howitzers

Moreover, Biden stated that this coming week, the US will penalize Russia once more.

“One year later, Kriv stands. And Ukraine stands. Democracy stands,” said the US President.

Support

In an effort to turn the tide of the war, Western nations other than the United States have sent tanks, guns, and ammunition to Ukraine.

With his personal visit, President Joe Biden clearly conveys US support for Zelensky and the Ukraine.

President Vladymyr Zelensky has been working to rally his country and enlist help for the past year.

American officials claim that the infusion of arms will provide Ukraine a tactical advantage against Russia and raise Zelensky’s negotiation power.

What conditions the Ukrainian president will be open to during future peace negotiations are as of yet unknown.

The US, like other nations, has decided not to comment on potential settlement terms, stating Zelensky will make the final decision.

High stakes

President Joe Biden made a symbolic trip to Kyiv the day before Russian President Vladimir Putin was supposed to deliver a speech to commemorate the conflict’s anniversary.

According to Biden, Putin’s invasion of Ukraine was failing.

“Putin thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided,” said Biden as Zelensky stood beside him.

“He thought he could outlast us. I don’t think he’s thinking that right now. He’s just been plain wrong.”

“One year later, the evidence is right here in this room. We stand together.”

As the war reaches its second year, President Joseph Biden gave a justification for his trip to the Ukrainian capital at the presidential palace.

“I thought it was critical that there not be any doubt, none whatsoever, about US support for Ukraine in the war,” said Biden.

“The Ukrainian people have stepped up in a way that few people ever have in the past.”

Read also: Mike Pence joins Trump and Biden in holding documents

In order to show the wide, political support in Washington, the US president said:

“For all the disagreement we have in our Congress on some issues, there is significant agreement on support for Ukraine.”

“It’s not just about freedom in Ukraine,” he continued. “It’s about freedom of democracy at large.”

Planning for the upcoming months of hostilities was the main topic of Biden’s talk with Zelensky, according to national security advisor Jake Sullivan.

“The President was very focused on making sure that he made the most of his time on the ground, which he knew was going to be limited,” said Sullivan.

“So he was quite focused on how he was going to approach his conversation with President Zelensky and in part how the two of them were really going to look out over the course of 2023 and try to come to a common understanding of what the objectives are.”

Others visit Ukraine

Following the meeting between Zelensky and other European leaders in Kyiv, President Joseph Biden was keen to travel to Ukraine.

The following leaders visited Ukraine:

  • French President Emmanuel Macron
  • German Chancellor Olaf Scholz
  • Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
  • British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak
  • Former British Prime Minister

The respective secretaries of state and defense, Anthony Blinken and Lloyd Austin, also went to Ukraine to show their support.

Leading members of the White House, including CIA Director William Burns, visited the Ukrainian capital this month.

Also, on Mother’s Day in 2022, Dr. Jill Biden, Biden’s wife, traveled to Ukraine.

She met Zelensky at a school that had been transformed into a makeshift housing for displaced Ukrainians in a tiny village in the southwest of the nation.

Anniversary

President Joe Biden wants to show his support for Ukraine as the conflict’s anniversary on February 24 draws near.

The question of how long the West and the United States can survive is still open.

This was Biden’s eighth trip to the city, and each one had been more crucial than the last, he said.

Also, Vladymyr Zelensky was informed of the US’s “here to stay” stance by President Joe Biden, who made it clear that this was the purpose of his visit.

“We’re not leaving,” said Biden.

Biden’s Ukraine strategy the subject of several Liberal Democrats in a letter

More than two dozen liberal members of the House are requesting US President Joe Biden to change course in his strategy for Ukraine.

Instead, they suggest that he pursue direct diplomacy with Russia to end the conflict that’s been going on for months.

Suggestions

A group of 30 Democrats sent a letter to Biden earlier this week.

They praised the President’s efforts to support Ukraine without direct US involvement.

However, they propose more vigorous efforts to end the war through diplomacy, believing it necessary to avoid lengthy conflict.

Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal led the group and helped with the letter.

“Given the destruction created by this war for Ukraine and the world, as well as the risk of catastrophic escalation,” the letter began.

“We also believe it is in the interest of Ukraine, the United States, and the world to avoid a prolonged conflict.”

“For this reason, we urge you to pair the military and economic support the United States has provided to Ukraine with a proactive diplomatic push, redoubling efforts to see a realistic framework for a ceasefire.”

Read also: The Russia-Ukraine War: How the Drones Are Used

The situation

The letter was written at a crucial time in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Russia is targeting more civilian infrastructure to cut off power to Ukrainian citizens before winter.

Meanwhile, US lawmakers are questioning Ukraine’s continued financial and military support.

Some Republicans threatened to halt aid if they win Congress in the November elections.

However, Liberal Democrats argue that direct attempts to involve Moscow in diplomacy were necessary during the war.

They also raise it in the letter.

“We are under no illusions regarding the difficulties involved in engaging Russia given its outrageous and illegal invasion of Ukraine and its decision to make additional illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory.”

“However, if there is a way to end the war while preserving a free and independent Ukraine,” the letter continued.

“It is America’s responsibility to pursue every diplomatic avenue to support such a solution that is acceptable to the people of Ukraine.”

Read also: US continues to aid Ukraine, announces $1 billion military assistance package

Russia and Ukraine

John Kirby, the Strategic Communications Coordinator at the National Security Council, confirmed that the White House received the letter.

“We certainly appreciate the sentiments expressed by these members of Congress,” said Kirby.

“We have been working with members of Congress throughout this entire process, especially when we have needed additional funding to support Ukraine’s defense needs.”

John Kirby says there is no sign that Russian President Vladimir Putin will engage in serious diplomacy to end the war.

“When you see and listen to his rhetoric, and you see the other things,” Kirby started.

“Be they atrocities, the war crimes, the airstrikes against civilian infrastructures that the Russians are committing; it’s clear Mr. Putin is in no mood to negotiate.”

John Kirby says it’s up to the country and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to decide when to return to negotiating.

“Mr. Zelensky gets to determine when he thinks that’s the right time,” he elaborated.

“[And] Mr. Zelensky gets to determine because it’s his country, what success looks like, what victory looks like, and what sort of terms he’s willing to negotiate on.”

“We’re not going to dictate that,” Kirby concluded.

Reference:

Liberal Democrats call on Biden to shift Ukraine strategy