[ Bakhmut Front ] Russian forces enter eastern part of Bakhmut City; pincer developing N & S of City
Update from the Bakhmut Front: Latest report suggest the Wagner PMC had been reinforced by Russian and Donetsk forces over at the Bakhmut Front, and had entered the residential region on the eastern side of Bakhmut City.
With pressure mounting in the south of the city at Opytne and the north of the city at Pidhorodne – the Ukrainian forces would have to make hard decisions to reinforce the city of Bakhmut by pulling forces inwards, or to maintain a balance amount of forces North, South and Center – but risk being overrun by probable numerically higher Russian forces.
From DPA’s perspective, the city push is likely a diversionary attempt for Ukrainians to weaken their lines at Opytne and Pidhorodne, in order to break these outskirt lines, with the longer term aim of developing a pincer to encircle the city, threaten the resupply route and force a retreat of the Ukrainian forces in the city, in order to avoid costly urban warfare to be fought in the city itself.
Situation outlook does not look good for the Ukrainian side at current juncture.