Russia fighting continues at ‘routine level’ despite Christmas ceasefire

Russia’s war effort in Ukraine has persisted at a “routine level” despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s order for a ceasefire over Jan. 6 and 7 in recognition of Orthodox Christmas, the U.K. defense ministry assessed Saturday.

Fighting in the Luhansk region around the city of Kreminna has ramped up over the last three weeks as Russia looks to hold onto the strategically important area amid a tough Ukrainian counter-offensive. 

Kreminna is located 50 miles north of Bakhmut, which Russian forces have failed to secure despite heavy weaponry and troop reinforcement over the last several months.

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U.K. defense officials assessed last month that Russia may be looking to reinforce Kreminna to shore up the logistically vital area and to safeguard its control over the city of Sievierodonetsk, which it had overrun by June following a brutal ground assault.

The defense ministry said that fighting around Kreminna has been largely carried out to the west of the city as Ukrainian troops look to push the front lines east. 

Heavily forested terrain full of coniferous woodlands has meant “both sides are highly likely struggling to accurately adjust artillery fire,” according to the ministry’s assessment.

“As is typical with operations in forests, combat has largely devolved to dismounted infantry fighting, often at short range,” the assessment read.

But fighting in Kreminna not only poses a threat to Russia’s ability to hold locations in Luhansk.

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“Russian commanders will highly likely view pressure around Kreminna as a threat to the right flank of their Bakhmut sector, which they see as key for enabling any future advance to occupy the remainder of Donetsk Oblast,” the ministry said.

Defense officials have noted that Russia stands to gain little strategically from securing Bakhmut and have suggested that the fight for Moscow over the town has become “symbolic.”

Some reporting has suggested that Russia’s mercenary Wagner Group has broken through an area northeast of Bakhmut known as Soledar, which houses salt and gypsum mines. 

Western officials have not confirmed the Russian advancement, though if accurate the progression could spell trouble for Ukrainian soldiers as the mercenary group may look to encircle defensive forces around Bakhmut. 

A White House spokesman on Thursday suggested there may be a monetary element that is driving Russia’s “obsession” with Bakhmut, reported Reuters.