Thread by @TheStudyofWar

#Russian forces likely made additional gains in SW and northern #Bakhmut as well as northwest of Bakhmut between Bohdanivka and Khromove as of March 20. 1/5

isw.pub/UkrWar032023

https://twitter.com/TheStudyofWar/status/1637993575353929729

The #Ukrainian General Staff reported on March 19 that #Russian troops attacked toward Berdychi (10km NW of #Avdiivka), which indicates that Russian forces likely advanced west of Krasnohorivka (9km north of Avdiivka) and captured Stepove (just west of Krasnohorivka). 2/5

#Russian forces are likely increasing the tempo of operations north of #Avdiivka in an effort to set conditions for the encirclement of the settlement and are reportedly employing a greater number of aviation units in the area to support these operations. 3/5

ISW previously reported that this increased tempo of #Russian operations in the #Avdiivka area has reportedly led to major losses and is likely a misguided effort to pull #Ukrainian forces away from other areas of the front. 4/5

ISW has not observed #Russian forces arraying substantial combat power along the outskirts of #Donetsk City, and it is unlikely that Russian forces will be able to sustain this temporary increased tempo. 5/5

isw.pub/UkrWar032023