[Goose]

Ukraine is now clearly preparing to withdraw from Bakhmut, or at least establishing a line of defense behind what remains of the town. They won't go until/unless they must, but it appears probable that will happen soon.

I don't see consistent information about Ukraine's position in Bakhmut.  I assume Ukraine wants to maintain uncertainty about the exact timing of its withdrawal, so the fog of war will be real.  I did see an update from the Kyiv Independent that Russia hit a bridge on the main escape route from Bakhmut (to the west of the city) and an article from The New Voice of Ukraine that a particular unit was ordered to withdraw from Bakhmut.  So I assume your conclusion is correct in the big picture.  Nevertheless, the details are - and until the battle is over probably will remain - scarce.  I'm crossing my fingers that Ukraine's forces there will escape mostly intact.

Ukraine knows what it is doing and has a plan with many branch points. I have confidence they aren't going to get cut off, and if they are the evacuation routes will be re-opened long enough to get most everybody out. That said, Ukraine is suffering casualties too, and probably at a pretty high rate. Even if it is 3:1 Russian to Ukrainian, it is a lot of casualties. You can't fight like WW I and not have the same high casualty rates. Really a human disaster.

[Goose]

Ukraine is now clearly preparing to withdraw from Bakhmut, or at least establishing a line of defense behind what remains of the town. They won't go until/unless they must, but it appears probable that will happen soon.

I don't see consistent information about Ukraine's position in Bakhmut.  I assume Ukraine wants to maintain uncertainty about the exact timing of its withdrawal, so the fog of war will be real.  I did see an update from the Kyiv Independent that Russia hit a bridge on the main escape route from Bakhmut (to the west of the city) and an article from The New Voice of Ukraine that a particular unit was ordered to withdraw from Bakhmut.  So I assume your conclusion is correct in the big picture.  Nevertheless, the details are - and until the battle is over probably will remain - scarce.  I'm crossing my fingers that Ukraine's forces there will escape mostly intact.

Ukraine knows what it is doing and has a plan with many branch points. I have confidence they aren't going to get cut off, and if they are the evacuation routes will be re-opened long enough to get most everybody out. That said, Ukraine is suffering casualties too, and probably at a pretty high rate. Even if it is 3:1 Russian to Ukrainian, it is a lot of casualties. You can't fight like WW I and not have the same high casualty rates. Really a human disaster.