What was happening around Bakhmut by 15 February 2023?

What did the security picture look like on 15 February 2023? Reports from the preceding days pointed to pressure around Bakhmut, continued Russian strikes and spillover concerns in neighbouring Moldova.

On 14 February 2023, Ukrainian forces blew up a bridge between Bakhmut and Kostiantynivka while Russian troops and Wagner Group fighters advanced on Bakhmut.

Strikes across the south and east

On 9 February 2023, Russia launched drone and cruise missile strikes across the south and east of Ukraine. Large explosions were reported in the Dnipropetrovsk, Luhansk, Mykolaiv and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

On 10 February 2023, a Russian Navy drone boat struck the Zatoka railway bridge on Highway H33 near Odesa. It was believed to be the first use of that naval weapon by Russian forces in the war.

Moldova feels the effects

Also on 10 February 2023, Moldova said Russia had fired missiles over its territory at targets inside Ukraine. Chisinau condemned the flyover as a violation of its sovereignty and summoned the Russian ambassador for an official explanation.

The same day, Moldovan prime minister Natalia Gavrilița resigned, amid an economic crisis and the collateral effects of the war in neighbouring Ukraine.

Taken together, these reports from 9 to 14 February 2023 showed a front under pressure at Bakhmut, continued attacks on the south and east, and a neighbouring state dealing with both airspace violations and political upheaval.