Ukrainian soldiers fire at Russian targets in Bakhmut (Photo: Reuters).
According to the Washington Post , the war between Russia and Ukraine has been raging for more than a year and both sides have suffered heavy losses. According to Western intelligence sources, each side appears to have had more than 100,000 soldiers killed and wounded.
Observers say that in the war of attrition on the entire front, especially in Bakhmut, Ukraine seems to be in a difficult position as they are losing many experienced soldiers and this is something that is difficult to make up in a short time. In particular, this can also affect Ukraine's plan in its counterattack efforts in the later stages.
The Washington Post cited the situation of Ukraine’s 46th Air Assault Brigade to illustrate the severity of the problem. Mr. Kupol, the commander of a battalion in the brigade, told the American newspaper that the original 500 members of his unit – who had combat experience – had been taken out of action for more than a year while fighting against Russia. Now he has to run a replacement force of new recruits with little combat experience.
The 46th Air Assault Brigade is one of Ukraine's main units in its efforts to counter Russia in the "fire pit" of Bakhmut, where fighting is fierce and the sides are fighting for every meter of land.
"The most valuable thing in war is combat experience," he said, comparing the difference between a soldier with six months of combat experience and a newly trained one to "heaven and earth."
"My unit now has only a few combat-experienced men. Unfortunately, the original soldiers of the battalion have either been killed or wounded," he said. According to Mr. Kupol, some of the new recruits sent to replace the dead or wounded soldiers in his battalion are not ready for battle.
According to Politico, the situation in Bakhmut is said to have caused disagreements in views between the West and Ukraine.
US officials appear to have expressed concern that Ukraine is sending so many munitions and personnel to Bakhmut to counter Russia that this could affect its ability to mount a major counteroffensive in the spring.
"I certainly don't want to underestimate the tremendous effort that the Ukrainian soldiers and leaders have put in to defend Bakhmut - but I think the city has more symbolic value than strategic value," said US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
So far, Ukraine has put aside the US opinion because Kiev believes it is weakening Russia's strongest force in Bakhmut. According to Mr. Zelensky, if Ukraine loses Bakhmut, Russia will have an open road to other key cities in the east of the country such as Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.
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