[Treefence]

Interesting thread I read on the bird about how Ukraine is limiting use of 155 and 152 and 122mm shells in Bakhmut to preserve it for an offensive while substituting extensive use of 120mm Mortars. This they apparently have in relative abundance with ammunition sourced from around the world including Pakistan and Iran. The reduced range is probably less of a factor due to the close up nature of the fight in Bakhmut. 

https://twitter.com/trenttelenko/status/...CCZ3SP6dPw

There are additional good reasons to use mortars. When firing on entrenched troops, an almost perpendicular angle at the point of impact is desirable. Howitzers obviously can achieve this, but only in so far as their maximum elevation allows. They can only fire at extremely high angles if they are close to the front, which endangers the howitzer itself. Mortars OTOH can be fired at high elevation angles close to the front without risking a much more valuable asset. Mortars also require a smaller crew and are inherently much "simpler" than a rifled howitzer. They are basically just a strong metal pipe. Ukraine undoubtedly has many more of them and can sustain a high rate of fire much more easily.

That all makes a lot of sense.  From what I've heard, Wagner are known, and specialize, in using mortar strikes in their combat operations.  It would make a lot of sense to fight fire with fire, as I'm guessing Ukraine knows the risk of putting too many valuable assets in the potential cauldron of death that is Bakhmut.  I'm starting to see a lot of Ukrainian bloggers starting to really question the Ukrainian leadership, specifically Syrsky, when it comes to the decisions being made in this area.  To be fair, most of these bloggers assumed the city would fall over a week ago, but at the same time I hope Ukraine is being efficient with their decisions and not prideful.

[Treefence]

Interesting thread I read on the bird about how Ukraine is limiting use of 155 and 152 and 122mm shells in Bakhmut to preserve it for an offensive while substituting extensive use of 120mm Mortars. This they apparently have in relative abundance with ammunition sourced from around the world including Pakistan and Iran. The reduced range is probably less of a factor due to the close up nature of the fight in Bakhmut. 

https://twitter.com/trenttelenko/status/...CCZ3SP6dPw

There are additional good reasons to use mortars. When firing on entrenched troops, an almost perpendicular angle at the point of impact is desirable. Howitzers obviously can achieve this, but only in so far as their maximum elevation allows. They can only fire at extremely high angles if they are close to the front, which endangers the howitzer itself. Mortars OTOH can be fired at high elevation angles close to the front without risking a much more valuable asset. Mortars also require a smaller crew and are inherently much "simpler" than a rifled howitzer. They are basically just a strong metal pipe. Ukraine undoubtedly has many more of them and can sustain a high rate of fire much more easily.

That all makes a lot of sense.  From what I've heard, Wagner are known, and specialize, in using mortar strikes in their combat operations.  It would make a lot of sense to fight fire with fire, as I'm guessing Ukraine knows the risk of putting too many valuable assets in the potential cauldron of death that is Bakhmut.  I'm starting to see a lot of Ukrainian bloggers starting to really question the Ukrainian leadership, specifically Syrsky, when it comes to the decisions being made in this area.  To be fair, most of these bloggers assumed the city would fall over a week ago, but at the same time I hope Ukraine is being efficient with their decisions and not prideful.