ISW: Occupiers won't capture Bakhmut by February 24th, but rocket strikes are possible
Russia may launch another missile attack on Ukraine to mark the symbolic anniversary of a full-scale invasion as real military success «continues to elude» from the Russian invaders. This is reported by the American Institute for the Study of War.
Analysts cite the statement of NSDC Secretary Alexei Danilov that the Russians intend to capture Bakhmut before February 24 to mark the first anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine, and plan to conduct a massive series of missile strikes, to mark this date.
In turn, the leader of the terrorist PMC «Wagner» Yevgeny Prigozhin recently stated that, according to his expectations, «Wagnerites» cordon off Bakhmut until March or April. In addition, ISW analysts note that these assessments by Prigozhin regarding the Russian advance in the Bakhmut area as a whole were closer to tactical realities than assessments predicting a rapid advance of Russian troops.
At the same time, it was noted that Ukrainian forces can always decide that the cost of holding Bakhmut is too high and voluntarily withdraw from the city, although Ukrainian leaders continue to say they intend to hold the city.
