Experts discuss importance of Bahmut for Russia and Ukraine
After a nine-month-long conflict in the Donetsk region, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that Bahmut, also known as Artyomosvk, had been captured by the Russian army. Ukrainian and Russian military experts discussed the strategic importance of the city, with Russian military expert Viktor Litovkin highlighting the significance of the timing of the capture during the G7 Summit in Japan. Litovkin also noted that Bahmut is a transportation hub, with road and rail connections, offering access to Kramatorsk and other cities controlled by Kiev in Donetsk. He suggested that the capture of Bahmut demonstrated Russia’s intentions, stating that efforts to pressure Russia had failed and that the country would continue to pursue its goals. National Defense magazine Editor-in-Chief Igor Korotchenko argued that the capture of Bahmut had a symbolic and political meaning for Russia. He believes the Russian army will continue its advance in the Donetsk region, aiming to control the Odessa and Mykolaiv regions and the land east of the Dnipro river. However, he warned that prolonging the conflict would not benefit Russia, and the delivery of Western military support to Ukraine should be prevented. Ukrainian military expert Petro Chernik suggested that, although the Russian army had captured Bahmut, Ukraine had enough strength to continue to defend its land, and the F-16 warplanes planned for delivery could alter the situation in favor of Ukraine. Finally, Ukrainian military expert Viktor Yagun claimed that the Russian army suffered significant losses in Bahmut.
