Russia Close to Encircling Ukraine’s Bakhmut After Months of Fighting

CHASIV YAR, Ukraine—Russian artillery pounded the last routes out of Bakhmut on Friday, aiming to complete the encirclement of the besieged Ukrainian city and bring Moscow closer to its first major victory in half a year.

According to the head of Russia’s Wagner private army, almost all of the city had been surrounded and there was only one route that could be used by Ukrainian troops.

Reuters reported that Russian forces were heavily shelling routes west of Bakhmut. This was an attempt to prevent Ukrainian forces from entering and exiting the city. Russian tanks shelled a bridge in Khromove, an adjacent village.

In a clear sign that Ukraine wasn’t ready to surrender the city, Ukrainian soldiers worked to fix the roads. More troops began to move toward the frontline. The west was occupied by Ukrainians digging trenches to defend their positions.

Russia’s RIA news agency posted a video of what it called Wagner fighters walking past an abandoned industrial building. A fighter can be heard saying that the Ukrainian army has destroyed infrastructure near Bakhmut in order to stop Russian encirclement.

Oleksandr Siskyi, commander of Ukraine’s ground forces visited Bakhmut last Friday in order to give briefings to local commanders regarding how to improve the defense capabilities of frontline forces.

Bakhmut commander Denys Yaroslavskyi of an Ukrainian army unit said that some parts had been given orders to move to safer positions. This was a description of the situation from the morning. “a slaughterhouse on both sides.”

Bakhmut is home to a small population of approximately 70,000 people. Russia’s victory would be the first major prize for a winter offensive that cost hundreds of thousands. Russia said it would serve as a platform to complete the takeover of Donbass’ industrial zone, one Moscow’s top priorities.

Bakhmut used to be known for its salt and gypsum mining before the conflict. Ukraine asserts that Bakhmut has no strategic significance and Russia suffered huge casualties trying to take it. This could influence the direction of conflict.

‘Pincers Are Closing’

“Units of the private military company Wagner have practically surrounded Bakhmut,” Yevgeny Wagner is the Wagner boss