Ukrainian Resistance At Bakhmut and Vuhledar Stifles Russian Attacks

Ukrainian forces' resistance at multiple points along the front line, but especially at Bakhmut and Vuhledar has stifled Russian attempts to advance.

The Russians are short of armor so have been using human wave tactics reminiscent of the Chinese army during the Korean War or the Iranians in their war with Iraq. The Russians are having about as much success as their predecessors, which is to say, not much. JL  

Mark Sumner reports in Daily Kos:

Over the last four days, Russia’s progress around the city of Bakhmut can be summed up this way: There isn’t any. Claims that they had surged past the town of Klishchiivka and were about to overrun Ivaniske on the south appear to have fizzled out along the line of a drainage canal that has proved to be an effective obstacle. The previous push on the north that saw Wagner Group forces move into Soledar appears to have not advanced in the last two weeks, and very well may have lost ground. The impetus carrying Russian forces to incremental advances on both side of Bakhmut appears to have stalled, returning to the days of small forces being sent forward to their annihilation

Over the last four days, Russia’s progress around the city of Bakhmut can be summed up this way: There isn’t any. Claims that they had surged past the town of Klishchiivka and were about to overrun Ivaniske on the south appear to have fizzled out along the line of a drainage canal that has proved to be an effective obstacle. The previous push on the north that saw Wagner Group forces move into Soledar appears to have not advanced in the last two weeks, and very well may have lost ground in the area east of Krasna Hora. 

Bakhmut area on 31 Jan 23. Open image in another tab for a larger view.

This isn’t to say that Russia did not gain ground over the last month in the Bahkmut area. That little town of Bakhmutske northeast of the city, now some 4km behind the line, was on the line back in November. However, the impetus that seemed to be carrying Russian forces to incremental advances on both side of Bakhmut appears to have stalled out, returning to the days of small forces being sent forward to their annihilation, followed by more of the same.

Already, there are hints that Russia is about to face another round of mobilization, so they can scrape together another mass of “mobliks” to grind down Ukrainian defenders at Bakhmut and other locations along the line. But Wagner Group appears to have another idea. Why not recruit Americans to do the job?

There’s a tagline for the original Night of the Living Dead movie that goes like this: “When there’s no more room in Hell, the dead will walk the Earth.” The Wagner Group version of this saying appears to be, “When there’s are no more desperate men to be dragged out of Russian prisons to throw at Bakhmut … recruit some Americans.”

But whoever put together this “true patriot” video did an admirable job of touching Americans right in the Q-center. From the footage of Jan. 6 “patriots” to the final scenes that crib part of the atomic blast from Terminator 2, it’s a love letter to anyone who ever thought it would be great to scream “Wolverines!” only while working for the Russia,s

Will this video actually send some Americans looking for the nearest Wagner recruiting station? Unknown. But it’s tempting to wish them success in this venture. Sending Americans to Ukraine who believe in Wagner’s idea of “the patriot” might be the best thing for both nations.

Reports that Russia is massing forces in Kreminna for an attempted offensive in hopes of pushing Ukrainian troops back from Kuzmyne and Dibrova. Considering how many “big Russian offense coming!” warnings there have been in the last two weeks at different points of the line, it’s hard to know how seriously to take this … but the reports are out there.

UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 31, 2023 · 3:00:06 PM EST · Mark Sumner

Russia has made another unsuccessful, high-cost attempt at Vuhledar. It seems they are determined to turn this location into a second Bakhmut when it comes to throwing Russian forces away. Two differences: The troops being lost are high value Russian naval forces, and Vuledar actually has tactical / strategic value in its control over north-south highway and rail lines.