The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation changed the strategy in Bakhmut and trying to force the Armed Forces from the city - isw

Russian troops, according to analysts, want to force Ukraine's defense forces to tactically retreat from Bakhmut through the T0504 route, which made them intensified offensive operations in the northern suburbs and suburbs. Russian occupation troops continue offensive operations in the Bakhmut area in Donetsk region. At the same time, they temporarily curtailed efforts to surround the fortress city from the southwest, as well as from the northeast.

This is stated in the daily analytical report of the American Institute of War Study (ISW) on March 2. On March 2, the Armed Forces of the Armed Forces reported that the defense forces repelled the offensive of the Russians near several settlements in the northwest of Bakhmut.

"The reflected Russian assault near the chrome (3 km west of Bakhmut) indicates that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation probably advanced northwest of the city and fixed successes south of Dubovo-Vasylivka," the Institute analysts report. Russian milblogists said that Wagner fighters carried out shelling in the direction of the White Mountain and the times of the ravine (12 km west of Bakhmut) and try to block the area of ​​the T0504 highway.

"It seems that Russian troops have temporarily reduced efforts from Bakhmut's surroundings from the southwest and from the northeast, and instead may focus on pressure on Ukrainian forces to leave the city, focusing on the northeastern offensive. For weeks, the offensive operations in the northern outskirts and the suburbs of Bakhmut have been intensified and successful in these areas, "the statement said.

It is noted that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation did not move closer to the T0504 highway between Bakhmut and the time of Yar. According to the assumption of analysts of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, it will be necessary to capture the Ivanovo and chrome to cut off Ukrainian land lines (GLOC) in Bakhmut and to completely surround the Ukrainian group in the city.

"Perhaps Russian troops are trying to put pressure on Ukrainian troops in Bakhmut so that they tactically retreat through the T0504 highway, so they reduce their efforts from the settlement environment, also capturing Ivanovo. Equipment and Russian troops intend to avoid further costs on the potential environment. However, Russian troops continue their offensive along the T0504 line and can restore more coordinated efforts in this direction, " - ISW analysts report.

Earlier, it estimated that Bakhmut's defense for the Armed Forces is a strategically sound operation aimed at forcing the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation to increase living power and equipment for expensive assaults to capture the city. According to the experts of the institute, Ukrainian troops have already achieved this strategic goal.

Ukrainian officials continue to emphasize that Ukrainian forces have the opportunity to carry out a controlled departure from Bakhmut, but do not report that the Armed Forces intend to leave the city. The official representative of the eastern group of troops of Ukraine, Colonel Sergey Cherevaty on March 2, said that the forces of defense will carry out a tactical departure from Bakhmut, if there is a need.