Institute for the Study of War

The owner of Russia's Wagner Group military company claimed Wednesday that his troops have extended their gains in the key Ukrainian stronghold of Bakhmut as fierce fighting continues in the war's longest battle.

Although it looks increasingly likely that Russia is going to capture Bakhmut, the heavy loss of men and equipment in its attempt to seize the mining town in the Donetsk region could limit its ability to launch new offensives in the near future.

General Lord Dannatt, a former British chief of staff, told Sky News that the Russians were facing "inevitable defeat in the city, so they are managing the withdrawal to make it look less chaotic".
He added that Russian forces are still in a defensive position on the battlefield and that is why Moscow is targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

"Russian officials and media propagandists are currently debating the reasons for Russia's defeat in Kharkiv Oblast," the Institute for the Study of War wrote in its latest update.

Ukraine said Monday that its forces regained yet more ground in the past 24 hours and retook an area seven times the size of Kiev this month, as Russia responded with strikes on some recaptured areas.

Ukraine announced the recapture of more than 20 settlements in Kharkiv and Donetsk regions within 24 hours.

It comes a day after Russia confirmed it was withdrawing from the area, though it explained that its actions were related to the "implementation of the special military operation" (as Moscow calls the war in Ukraine, which today entered its 201st day).

After the confusing launch of the invasion, it seems that the Russian army is on the way to conquer the entire Donbas, where two self-proclaimed "people's republics" which Moscow recognized are situated.

Last Friday's terrorist attacks on Paris were brutal, cruel, and evil. In the face of such barbarism, anyone who respects human life should stand with the French people, as I do. As a Muslim, I also feel very uneasy that the murderers acted in the name of my faith.