The Ukrainian defenders destroyed such a number of occupying troops near Bakhmut that it would be enough for the enemy to launch a strategic-level offensive operation.

For example, a repeated attack on Kyiv.

This was stated by Defense Express expert Ivan Kyrychevskyi, Espresso informs.

"

and up to

. Roughly speaking, if these troops were not destroyed, the Russians could use them for a second attack on Kyiv. The success that is now being laid for planning a counteroffensive may be unexpectedly greater and faster than is currently imagined," the expert said.

Kyrychevsky calls the withdrawal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine beyond the Bakhmutka River planned.

"To create inflated expectations that we have stabilized the front for several months and the Russians will not pass there - let's not rush. On the other hand, there is every reason to believe that the Russians will be stuck there for a long time and will continue to be ground down. What is happening now really affects success of the upcoming counteroffensive. There is a certain logic for the troops to be in a winning mood in front of the "Forward" team, it is worth preventing a difficult and sensitive event. As long as there is an opportunity, Bakhmut will keep organized," the analyst concluded.

The situation in Bakhmut: the latest news

Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Russian Federation lost more than 1,100 occupiers in less than a week near Bakhmut.

The commander of the Ground Forces, Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrsky, explained that Bakhmut must be held in order to gain time for the spring counteroffensive.

Oleksiy Danilov, Secretary of the National Security Council, reported that in Bakhmut, fighting is already going on in the city itself.

According to Rolitico, Biden administration officials have begun to worry that Ukraine is spending too much manpower and ammunition in Bakhmut, and this could undermine the ability to launch a major counteroffensive in the spring.

Instead, the President's Office assured that Ukraine still has the resources to keep Bakhmut.

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