President Putin congratulates Russian military on complete control of Bakhmut

Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: TASS

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the Wagner group carried out a drone strike on Bakhmut, with the support of artillery and aviation from the Southern Group of Forces of the Russian Armed Forces. Thanks to this, the task of taking full control of Bakhmut was completed.

"President Vladimir Putin congratulated the Wagner assault detachments, as well as all servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces who provided timely support and flank protection to the Wanger group. The operation to completely take control of Bakhmut has been completed. All outstanding performers will be awarded State Medals," the Kremlin Press Service said.

The battle for Bakhmut has been fierce over the past months. President Zelensky has said that the battle for Bakhmut will determine how the conflict in Ukraine develops. Some experts have called Bakhmut Ukraine’s “Stalingrad.”

So what makes Bakhmut such a strategic front between Russia and Ukraine, and why has Moscow poured so many resources into capturing such a small city?

Bakhmut is one of the largest transport hubs in Donbass. All supply routes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the direction of Donetsk pass through Bakhmut. In other words, Bakhmut is located in the north of the Donetsk Republic. It is an important transport corridor, providing reinforcements to Ukraine in Donbass.

Now that Russia has full control of Bakhmut, it would disrupt Ukraine’s supply lines, opening a route for Russian troops to put pressure on Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, key Ukrainian strongholds in the Donetsk region, which are also two important Ukrainian industrial centers in the energy-rich Donbas region.

Experts say the capture of Bakhmut could change the course of the conflict and create the basis for Russia to launch a wider campaign in other parts of Ukraine.

Besides the strategic victory, complete control of Bakhmut also brought a symbolic, prestigious victory for Russia.