At some point during this period, likely after Russian Aerospace Forces (RuAF) attacks stalled on the flanks, the Russian Armed Forces (RuAF) redeployed Wagner forces into the city and replaced the VDV on the flanks with poorly trained units from the 3rd Army Corps, the 200th Motor Rifle Brigade (MRB), and the 4th MRB.
Full-scale invasion and national resilience, broadcasted live.
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Ukrainian counterattacks fail near Bakhmut
In March, Ukraine launched what could be described as unsuccessful counterattacks against VDV units on the flanks of Bakhmut and failed to reverse Russian advances.
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Ukraine’s attrition rate dropped to 1:1 in February-March city fighting
Ukraine's attrition rate dropped significantly at this point, possibly as low as 1:2 – 1:1 in Ukraine's favor at some point during February-March. I do suspect these numbers apply for the fighting in the city, and not surrounding areas.
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Bakhmut encirclement by Wagner and Russian VDV units
The encirclement of Bakhmut was carried out by Wagner and Russian VDV units, which are considered “storm” units used by the Russian Air Force for attacks. These units are better trained than regular mechanized infantry.
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RuAF seizes Ukrainian supply lines
The outcome of the envelopment was also the RuAF gaining fire control over AFU ground lines of communications. These are some of the reasons I did not think it was a good idea to stay in Bakhmut.
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Bakhmut: Slow Russian Army Advances
It took the Russian Aerospace Forces (RuAF) about two months to capture the last roughly 60% of Bakhmut. Back in January/February, the RuAF managed to encircle Bakhmut, making it difficult for the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) to use counter-battery and air defense within the city.
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Kherson: limited fighting, AFU on delta islands, RuAF avoids artillery
Kherson
As you can guess, not a lot happened here. There has been some fighting in the delta and AFU have presence on some of the islands in the delta. It seems RuAF have focused on keeping out of AFU artillery range. -
RuAF epic failures in Vuhledar leave frontline static for months
Vuhledar
After some epic failures by RuAF in the Vuhledar direction this winter, the frontline has remained fairly static for the last couple of months. -
Russian forces make minor progress in Marinka, units identified
Marinka
RuAF made some minor progress in the town, RuAF claimed to have "almost" captured it last fall but has not managed to this day.
RU Units fighting around Marinka are among others 150th motor rifle division (8CAA) and 127th motor rifle division (5CAA) and 5th bde 1AC. -
Russian 1st Army Corps attempted encirclement of Avdiivka
Avdiivka
In an attempt to divert UA forces from Bakhmut, units from mostly RU 1st Army Corps attempted to encircle Avdiivka during March – April. AFU lost Krasnohorivka and Kamyanka in the north but managed to hold on to the sentiments in the south.