Battlefield Bakhmut: Why Russia & Ukraine are Fighting Over this City

Update on Russian military operations in Ukraine for December 21, 2022: - Pentagon admits Russia is gaining ground in Bakhmut; - Zelensky visit to Bakhmut mirrors similar visit to Lysychansk before it fell to Russian forces; - Western media admits Russia has Ukraine outgunned 6 to 1 in Bakhmut; - Claims that Russian losses are as significant as catastrophic toll Ukraine is suffering in Bakhmut does not reflect reality if Russia outguns Ukraine significantly; - Bakhmut is a significant transportation hub and a crucial fortified position along one of Ukraine’s last major defensive lines in the east; - The fall of Bakhmut may lead to a similar breakthrough like Popasna; - Russian forces appear interested in destroying Ukraine’s military at Bakhmut more than taking the city itself; References: Gonzalo Lira Roundtable - The Roundtable #38: Why Bakhmut Matters: AP - Russian rockets hit eastern Ukrainian town of Pokrovsk (May 2022): Ukrinform - Enemy shells Pokrovsk with Iskanders five times in past day, casualties reported: US Department of Defense - Brigadier General Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary, Holds a Press Briefing Dec. 20, 2022: PBS - Zelenskyy visits front line in Bakhmut while Putin praises troops in Kremlin: ABC Australia - Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits frontline cities as Russia resumes strikes on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv: Reuters - Analysis: Russia’s grim battle for Bakhmut may yield pyrrhic victory at best: The Times - Ice cold test of resolve in Ukraine’s ‘meat grinder’: NY Times - Russia’s Battle for Bakhmut: WSJ - Battle for Bakhmut Is Critical Test of Russia’s Prospects in Ukraine: Where to Find My Work: Website: Telegram: Twitter: Odysee (YouTube alternative): @LandDestroyer:8 Rumble (YouTube alternative): Weibo: ไบรอัน แฟนคลับ (Facebook): Line Group: Gab: VK (Facebook alternative): How to Support my Work (and thank you!): Buy Me A Coffee: Patreon: PromptPay: 0851547235 Cryptocurrency Donations: Ethereum (ETH): 0xee6ed93c3adc474450011e9af22939a0b9b312c7 BitCoin (BTC): 1AfGnbmHxA6cy9YKUSxysXvpJPyecpBKrr Monero (XMR): 845TCXx3pchSBXuDL7FHG679gbWD2wkHS6MJxuq7jFVsVFj7T6xsry747uhhGZUdkaRXbbrMfo5c8RnGfzGZ13KxQUdHVLR