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What was happening around Bakhmut by 20 February 2023?
Summary
A look back at two security developments reported in the days before 20 February 2023, one in eastern Ukraine and one off South Africa.
What did the security picture look like on 20 February 2023? Two reports from the preceding days help answer that, one from the front line in Ukraine and one from the Indian Ocean.
On 14 February 2023, Ukrainian forces blew up a bridge between Bakhmut and Kostiantynivka. Russian troops and Wagner Group fighters were advancing on Bakhmut at the time, as part of the battle for the city during Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
A drill far from the front
On 17 February 2023, the South African Navy began hosting a ten-day joint military exercise in the Indian Ocean with Russia and China. The exercise was named "Mosi II", after the Tswana word for "smoke". It placed South Africa's relations with both Russia and China in the spotlight.
The two events were unconnected in the reports. Together they show that, as of 20 February 2023, fighting around Bakhmut continued while Russia took part in naval cooperation with partners abroad.
