Many are surprised by Ukraine’s relentless defence of Bakhmut; strategically, the city is of only moderate significance. Possession of the roadways that come through Bakhmut would prove helpful to either side but is hardly worth the huge operational costs they are paying. The most common explanation for the relentless defence is that Ukraine sees this as an opportunity to inflict serious casualties on Russian forces. However, even if Ukraine is managing to inflict more casualties on Russia than it is itself taking, it is unlikely that the stated 5:1 or 7:1 ratios are actually true. More importantly, Ukraine’s soldiers are better soldiers. It is not clear that one Ukrainian soldier is worth 5 convicts. No, if Ukraine was looking to inflict massive casualties on Russia, it could have done so more effectively by attacking Kherson more aggressively. While Ukraine welcomes the opportunity to attrit Russian forces, that has not been the focus of their strategic thinking thus far.
Reports from the Ukrainian high command suggest that Ukraine considers the Wagner Group to be its most dangerous adversary within the entire Russian military. If Bakhmut falls, Wagner will get more resources: And this is something Ukraine is looking to stop at all costs. Bakhmut, in short, is being fought to discredit the Wagner group. Similarly, while Bakhmut offers access to some useful roadways, Wagner is fighting as hard as it is because it is looking to demonstrate its superiority over the regular Russian armed forces—and it sees Bahkmut, with its two roadways that lead into and out of it, as being relatively easy to supply.
The “waves of prisoners” tactics has been quite effective: So, in order to stop its continued use, Ukraine wants to defeat it here and now—giving Putin the impression that the tactic does not work and that the Wagner group is ineffective.
The Ukrainian MOD might also be worried that a Russian breakthrough at Bahkmut could lead to other movement along the front: If Ukraine is forced onto the defensive, this could threaten their ability to organize a counterattack later in the Spring.
While Bakhmut is not strategically vital in and of itself, pushing the Wagner group to the sidelines politically is.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ukraine-claims-bakhmut-battle-is-wagner-s-last-stand/ar-AA18l9tg?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=3234d755b1d44e5aa9c4feefc285ee4c&ei=10
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