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A Ukrainian soldier fires a mortar at Russian positions in Bakhmut in November
Photo: Libkos/AP
According to British military experts, the Russian troops engaged in a disproportionately costly battle for the city of Bakhmut during their attack on Ukraine.
The advantage of capturing the city in the Donetsk region with around 70,000 inhabitants is not in proportion to the price Moscow is paying for it, according to the Defense Ministry's daily intelligence update on the Ukraine war in London.
Much of Russia's effort and firepower has been focused on a roughly 15-kilometer sector of a trenched front since August, the statement said.
The plan is probably to encircle the city.
There has been little progress in the south.
Although taking Bakhmut would give Russia an opportunity to threaten larger urban centers like the cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, it would be of "limited operational value," the British say.
It is therefore a realistic possibility that the capture of the city has become primarily a symbolic, political goal for the Kremlin.
The British Ministry of Defense has published a daily update on the course of the war since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine at the end of February, citing intelligence information.
In doing so, the British government wants to both counter the Russian portrayal and keep allies in line.
Moscow accuses London of a targeted disinformation campaign.
Ukraine welcomes oil price cap against Russia
Away from the fighting, the West continues to try to increase economic pressure on Russia.
The EU, the G7 and Australia agreed on a price cap of $60 per barrel for oil transported by sea on Friday.
According to Ukrainian information, this agreement will have a major impact on the Russian economy.
"We always reach our goal, and Russia's economy will be destroyed," Ukrainian presidential adviser Andriy Yermak claimed on Telegram.
But a cap of just $30 instead of $60 would "destroy the Russian economy more quickly," he added.
The price cap is intended to make it more difficult for Russia to circumvent the sanctions imposed because of the Ukraine war through sales outside the EU or the G7.
China and India, for example, will continue to be able to import Russian oil - but only at the maximum price that has now been decided.
According to the agreement, companies from G7 and EU countries and also Australia are not allowed to transport oil that costs more than 60 dollars.
In addition, they are not allowed to insure tankers that have oil on board at prices above the upper limit.
Currently, companies from G7 countries provide around 90 percent of transport insurance worldwide.
On Monday, the embargo already decided by the European Union against the import of Russian crude oil by sea is to come into force.
This affects two thirds of imports, the rest comes via pipelines.
kko/dpa
