Ukraine War: Who Is Winning The Battle For Bakhmut?

In the grand theater of geopolitics, sometimes it's hard to tell who's leading and who's following. Take Belgrade, for instance. A place where the narrative is as enigmatic as a magician's disappearing act. Here, the governor of Belgrade has taken the stage, claiming that a Ukrainian sabotage unit played footsie near the border. But wait, the Ukrainians have swiftly pulled a rabbit out of their diplomatic hat, saying, "Not us, folks!"

The Kremlin, on the other hand, has a different trick up its sleeve. They've boldly declared, "This is definitely the work of Ukraine's forces, attempting to divert attention from our triumphant return in Downing Back Moot." If that weren't enough, there are whispers of Russian opposition groups, nestled comfortably across the border in Ukraine, potentially stirring the cauldron of chaos. We've even glimpsed some tantalizing footage of smoke and explosions on the border, though verifying the authenticity is like trying to catch lightning in a bottle.

The Mystifying Theater of War

As the curtains rise on the grand stage of global conflicts, Belgrade isn't the only act in town. Enter Batman, a city that's been embroiled in an 11-month-long drama, where conflicting claims of who's in control have become the stuff of legend. The Great War of Attrition, a saga that has seen its fair share of twists and turns, has finally granted Vladimir Putin a victory he'd been yearning for. But, dear audience, this victory carries a bitter taste, like biting into a lemon when you were expecting a cherry.

The Vargo Group has borne the brunt of the battle, doing the lion's share of the fighting. It's no surprise that Yevgeny Pregožin, the group's leader, declared victory a tad prematurely. Perhaps he wanted to ensure the Russian army didn't snatch credit for the win, given the shady legality of private military companies in Russia. But now, Pregožin is passing the torch to the Russian army in Back Moot. A chance for his forces to catch their breath, or perhaps a move to keep the Russian army from hogging the limelight.

While the Russian army has held the flanks in Back Moot, guarding the North and South, the Vargo Group has charged through the middle. Ukrainian forces, meanwhile, have proven to be a formidable adversary, pushing back against the Russian army. If they seize this opportunity and capitalize on the transfer of power in Back Moot, they might just encircle the city eventually. With Back Moot in ruins, this would leave Russian forces in quite the tight spot. The battle for Batman might still have a few plot twists up its sleeve.

The Enigmatic Air War

Now, dear spectators, let's shift our gaze to the skies, where the air war has remained shrouded in mystery. The Russian Air Force, like a magician who never reveals their secrets, has been conspicuously absent from the headlines. Instead, all eyes are on Ukraine's impending acquisition of F-16s. The question on everyone's lips: Are we on the brink of a new era in aerial warfare?

These F-16s won't grace Ukrainian skies until the following year, but the Russians are quick to conjure their own magic act. They've announced the formation of an elite Attack Aviation Group, assembled with su-24 Fighters, vintage relics from the 1960s, and the su-35, a more modern 2014 fighter. Let's not forget the Attack Helicopters, poised to provide close air support. These birds of prey are designed to swoop down on Ukrainian forces as they wage their ground-based campaign. The curious part? The Russians are reportedly enlisting retired aviation experts to pilot these aircraft. One would think that close air support should be a fundamental pillar of any self-respecting air force, but it appears that the Russian Air Force has some catching up to do.

As for the F-16s, it's not just about the aircraft themselves; it's the entire ensemble. The pilots, logistics, weapons, armorers, and spare parts must all come together in a harmonious symphony. So, when can we expect these new additions to the Ukrainian arsenal to make their grand entrance? While I won't put my money on the F-16s stealing the spotlight just yet, my crystal ball tells me that next year could be the year they take their cue.

In this geopolitical circus, where uncertainty reigns supreme, the only constant is change. Belgrade, Batman, and the skies above Ukraine are stages for a drama that keeps us all guessing. As the world turns, we can only wait and watch, wondering what twists and turns the next act will bring to this captivating spectacle.