Russians took most of Soledar over the past couple of days. Expect their propaganda and trolls to milk this ‘victory’ for all its worth and then some. There were also attacks towards Vuhledar in the south, near Kremina in the north and everywhere in between.
Russians basically threw their entire army on the offensive all across the front line. You could be excused for not noticing it, it’s largely ineffective. Yes, Wagner forces may have succeeded in taking Soledar, by paving the approaches with corpses of their men. Russians also launched attacks with negligable successes elsewhere. This is the vaunted second wave of mobilized pesonnel, men who actually did recieve some training. The first wave was in late 2022 and allowed Russia to prevent front lines from collapsing. This second wave is supposed to be what wins them the war.
The fact they’re using them as cannon fodder all over the front line indicates the most they can hope for is to prevent any further Ukrainian breakthroughs until the spring mud season sets in six weeks from now. This is how World War 1 ended, first in the east and then in the west - a mass offensive all over the board that could no longer be countered by the defender, because they had nothing left to fight with.
The problem Russia faces is that Ukraine still has plenty left to fight with and is actually growing stronger. The fact they threw their most capable units into Soledar (a target of marginal importance to take Bakhmut, itself of minor importance) shows their real goal is showing a gain, any gain, they can then spin as a major turning point to feed domestic audiences.
For all we know this is also the ultimate goal of the offensive: give propaganda material for domestic audiences to keep the unwashed masses placated for another couple of months. We do know more is not really achievable at this point.
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