[Goose]

Ukraine is also planning to do "something" near Bakhmut. It will not involve "lots" of the NATO trained troops, but you can take it to the bank that this is in the plan. The question is not if, but exactly what and when. Russia will be politically compelled to defend there, and it could eat up a lot of Russian combat power. The only current issue is holding the lines at Kreminna while this happens.

Planned and done, looks like. Ukrainian forces have taken over Klishchiivka and Andriivka, south of Bakhmut.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/179...imir-putin

IMO Planned and not (yet) done. Ukraine has set up a situation where they can cut off a lot of Russians in Bakhmut. They are continuing to increase the depth of their forces that have Bakhmut surrounded on 3 sides. At some point, they are going to close that fourth side, or try to. By all rights, Russia should have evacuated that salient long ago, but politically they can't do it. The Ukrainians are making the enclosed pocket bigger and deeper. At some point, Ukraine will decide they can't extend themselves anymore and will try to pinch off the last opening. That may happen only when Ukraine thinks Russia is finally going to "do the right thing". So far, the Russians have not.

[Goose]

Ukraine is also planning to do "something" near Bakhmut. It will not involve "lots" of the NATO trained troops, but you can take it to the bank that this is in the plan. The question is not if, but exactly what and when. Russia will be politically compelled to defend there, and it could eat up a lot of Russian combat power. The only current issue is holding the lines at Kreminna while this happens.

Planned and done, looks like. Ukrainian forces have taken over Klishchiivka and Andriivka, south of Bakhmut.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/179...imir-putin

IMO Planned and not (yet) done. Ukraine has set up a situation where they can cut off a lot of Russians in Bakhmut. They are continuing to increase the depth of their forces that have Bakhmut surrounded on 3 sides. At some point, they are going to close that fourth side, or try to. By all rights, Russia should have evacuated that salient long ago, but politically they can't do it. The Ukrainians are making the enclosed pocket bigger and deeper. At some point, Ukraine will decide they can't extend themselves anymore and will try to pinch off the last opening. That may happen only when Ukraine thinks Russia is finally going to "do the right thing". So far, the Russians have not.