The introduction of regular Russian troops to replace the "Wagnets" delayed the culmination of Bakhmut battles - ISW

Analysts note that their forecast for the climax of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation on Bakhmut, announced on the eve of the New Year, was inaccurate. According to ISW, the transfer of regular units of the Russian army to replace the mercenaries of the Wagner PEC only continued to carry out the assault operation on this area of ​​the front, so battles for the frontline are continuing.

"Isw does not predict Bakhmut's rapid surrender to Russian troops, although the Ukrainian command can give this advantage than risking unacceptable losses. It is extremely unlikely that the Armed Forces will be able to conduct a sudden environment of Ukrainian forces in Bakhmut," the analytics have announced their new forecast. In the report of the Institute of War Study, experts cite the commander of one of the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Denis Yaroslavsky.

According to the officer, the formation of elite landing troops of the Russian Federation is now mainly involved in Bakhmut. Yaroslavsky also did not exclude that the command of Ukraine may be ordered for the removal of forces from the frontline, if there is a threat of a full environment of the settlement.

Separately, isw quotes the speaker of the Eastern Group Command Sergey Cherevatov, who, a day earlier, January 31, assured that Ukrainian servicemen were still capable of efficiently supplying their brothers in Bakhmut. The officer also stated that the command developed several emergency action plans in response to Russian operations around Bakhmut.

"The introduction of regular units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation to the Bakhmut flank has shifted the culmination of the offensive of the Wagner PEC, but has retained the initiative for the Russians. However, the Russian military command overestimates its opportunities for rapid promotion in Donetsk region," analytics summarized, commenting on the situation.

The day earlier, January 31, the UK Ministry of Defense Military Intelligence commented on the intensification of hostilities in the Pavlovka and Vodlivar. According to the department, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation purposefully storms the positions of the Armed Forces in the West of Donetsk region, trying to divert the attention of Ukrainian servicemen from Bakhmut.