Political scientist Markov listed opinions on the significance of the capture of Soledar by Russian troops

Political scientist Sergey Markov in his telegram channel gave several concepts about the significance of Soledar for the warring parties.

The first is the so-called Russian public. According to it, the capture of Soledar will allow the RF Armed Forces to quickly occupy Bakhmut, Seversk and quickly reach the next line of defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Kramatorsk-Slavyansk. The tactical success of our army can develop into an operational one in the event of the capture of Bakhmut and Seversk. And already in the strategic one – if the Russian Armed Forces liberate Kramatorsk and Slavyansk.

The second concept, according to Markov’s logic, is the Western public version. According to her, Soledar is not of serious importance. The Kremlin is only trying, after several unsuccessful actions, to give good news to the population of the country and to raise the morale of the soldiers. In terms of combat, Russia has only wasted time and resources here. And the Armed Forces of Ukraine will soon, having retained their strength, begin to advance again.

And the third version of the significance of the capture of Soledar is the Russian fiercely patriotic one, writes Markov. According to her, the occupation of Soledar as a settlement is not at all the main thing. The main significance is the destruction of a large number of military personnel and mercenaries of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the battles for Bakhmut and Soledar. The operational significance of Soledar and Bakhmut is small.

“Zelensky’s political, and not military, approach, which demanded that the Armed Forces of Ukraine not spoil the picture of Ukraine’s victories in the Western media, allowed Russia to lure the enemy into a meat grinder in Bakhmut and Soledar and destroy up to 25 thousand soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. And the main task is to defeat the enemy army,” Markov writes.

Also, a rather long time assault on Soledar and Bakhmut allowed Russia to train 300 thousand fighters called up as part of the mobilization and to pull up reserves and weapons. And the Armed Forces of Ukraine, throwing all their forces to hold these cities, could not launch an offensive on other fronts in the NVO zone.

And now the Russian army with new troops will launch a big offensive. For this, a new chief of the General Staff, Gerasimov, was appointed, Markov summarizes.