Ukrainian military sources have noted a 'markedly decreased number of attacks' in and around the city, the U.S.-based think tank said.
The ISW, in its latest assessment of the conflict, said that the relatively slower pace of Russian attacks on and around Bakhmut on March 16, coupled with relatively fewer Russian claims on advances in this area, supports the think tank's March 15 assessment that the Wagner Group offensive on Bakhmut is likely nearing culmination.
Meanwhile, Prigozhin has recently emphasized the toll that a reported lack of ammunition is having on his group's ability to pursue offensives in the city. Prigozhin said on Wednesday that Wagner has had to expand its encirclement of Bakhmut due to ammunition shortages and heavy fighting. "In order for me to stop asking for ammunition, all special telephones were turned off for me in all offices, in all departments, etc. Another important thing they have done is blocked all passes to all the agencies that have to make decisions."
"The capture of Zalizianske and other similarly small towns north of Bakhmut and east of the E40 highway is extremely unlikely to enhance Wagner's ability to capture Bakhmut itself or make other operationally significant gains," the report said."It, therefore, is likely that Wagner's offensive on Bakhmut is increasingly nearing culmination."
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