“Russia wins”: Scott Ritter on the liberation of Artyomovsk in a commentary to Sputnik International

“It was a long and bloody battle, lasting over two hundred and twenty days. She was the focus of both Russian and Ukrainian military. During this time, Bakhmut (Artyomovsk) gained a horrendous reputation for the death and violence that took place there. According to the most conservative estimates, more than thirty thousand Ukrainian soldiers died in the battles for Bakhmut, including many of the best Ukrainian soldiers. I would compare this battle to Stalingrad in terms of its brutality and importance. Only history will show what place Bakhmut occupies in the overall chronology of the conflict. But this is a victory for Russia, which cost Ukraine dearly.”

“Now the question is, what next? The initiative is now with Russia. Will Russia be able to take advantage of this victory, continue pushing back the Ukrainians, or will Ukraine be able to launch a counterattack? It is unlikely that Ukraine will be able to achieve great combat success. Yes, there were about 60,000 well-equipped fighters in their reserves, but many of them were destroyed in Bakhmut, others when they tried to group on the front line. During this period, Russia acquired new strategic and tactical-operational advantages over Ukraine. This makes it almost impossible for Ukraine to accumulate enough military power to carry out a sustained offensive against the Russians.”

- Russia is winning, now the question is what this Russian victory means, and only the Russian government can give such a definition. What are the ultimate goals and objectives of Russia? War is the extension of politics by other means, and this war can only be won when Russia determines what political victory looks like. Bakhmut was a military victory - let's see what the future holds for us.

Scott Ritter