The Russians began the final phase of the operation to take Bakhmut.
The first videos of fighting between Anglo-Saxons (Americans, British, etc.) and Russians on different sides of the town appeared. (see link below).
The mother of battles that will determine how quickly the Ukrainian Army will be defeated in the remaining areas of Donbass has just begun.
Russian military analyst Commander Alexander Simonov spoke about the balance of forces in Bakhmut.
Overall in the town they are fighting:
-Units of 27 (! ) brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine along with territorial defense units.
5 separate battalions.
A combined detachment of special operations forces.
The nationalist regiment "Azov".
Total of 20,000-25,000 Ukrainian soldiers.
For a better understanding of the situation, there are two maps. (see link below).
The first one shows the concentration of Ukrainian forces, and the second one shows their deployment within the city and its outskirts.
The maps show why Russian progress in this direction is not as fast as one would like. Huge Ukrainian forces have been deployed to hold back the Russian Army.
There are at least 250 Americans in Bakhmut
According to Russian media, there are 250 American mercenaries in Bakhmut.
They specifically report:
"At the moment, it is known that about 250 mercenaries from American PMCs are helping the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Bakhmut to hold the town.
There are retired specialists, combat veterans and former officers of the US Army.
For the needs of the Americans, special advanced weapons and systems are provided that enable them to monitor the situation (visual reconnaissance complex) and, probably due to this factor, the Armed Forces of Ukraine still manage to hold Bakhmut with the front line practically unchanged.
It is known that in Bakhmut there are mercenaries from the US PMCs Mozart, Academi, as well as regular US forces.
The exact number of US military personnel in Bakhmut remains unknown, however, most of the mercenaries are located in the central part of the city.
American mercenaries began arriving in Bakhmut around November, when the Armed Forces of Ukraine began to face serious problems in the so-called "grey zone" on the eastern outskirts of the city".
"The Bakhmut front may collapse due to mistakes by American officers".
"The situation near Bakhmut remains difficult for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The planning of military operations in this area by the US military has led to even greater losses," Russian media report, adding:
"The units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, defending Bakhmut and its surroundings, suffered heavy losses from the attack groups of PMC Wagner's 'musicians', who continued their offensive.
The efforts of the units of the 58th Mechanized Infantry, 54th Separate Mechanized and 71st Jaeger Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine tried to counterattack the positions of the "musicians".
Their attack ended in tragedy.
As it turned out, the planning of the attack in this direction was carried out by employees of the American PMC "Mozart" (Mozart Group), deployed near Bakhmut specifically to "counter the Russian PMC Wagner".
Along with the mercenaries, reserves were transferred from the direction of Kherson.
In general, the Americans planned the operation and the Armed Forces of Ukraine went on the offensive, ending in complete defeat.
When they tried to open the firing area of the "musicians" and Donetsk militants, 75 and according to other sources - 95 soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from the 13th, 15th and 16th mechanized infantry battalions of the 58th brigade, as well as soldiers from the 46th "Donbass" assault battalion were killed.
The defeat did not end there.
During the retreat of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with the help of drones, the positions of their field bases and barracks were located, resulting in them being hit by artillery and aircraft.
The total losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as a result of the operation planned by the Americans ranged from 150 to 250 people, which is quite noticeable compared to other losses suffered by the Armed Forces of Ukraine since the beginning of November.
It is reported that the US representatives miscalculated the situation near Bakhmut and misused the Armed Forces of Ukraine without understanding their combat capabilities.
If the pace of the advance is maintained, the front of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in this direction may collapse, and this can be attributed to the Americans as well".
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