After Bakhmut: Draining Battle Leaves Ukraine Battered, Russia Rising | Opinion
Five months ago, when we wrote that Bakhmut would eventually fall to the Russians, some readers of these pages scoffed at us. Didn't we understand that Ukraine was winning the war? Well, the Ukrainians put up a remarkable defense in what has become the bloodiest battle of the 21st century, but most of Bakhmut, including the vital rail lines, has fallen. It took longer than we expected, but this defeat has made it even less likely that Ukraine can reestablish its 2014 borders without the direct intervention of
NATO troops. How often have we heard that poorly led, poorly equipped Russian troops have suffered staggering losses and been driven back from territory they initially captured? This may all be true. It does not change the fact that Russia is now poised to take full advantage of the fall of Bakhmut once dry summer weather arrives.