Russia-Ukraine Flash Report 11 FEB 2023 13:45 PST - T-504 Highway South of Bakhmut Cut (Patreon)

Overnight we learned some things.

First, reports that the T-504 Highway Ground Line of Communication (GLOC - supply line) was not under Russian fire control. Russia hasn't been able to advance on the highway in the last week or seriously blunt the flow of traffic. It isn't a fun road to drive, but reports of it looking the the T-513 Highway at Bilohorivka in late May were highly exaggerated.

Russia came up with a solution. They destroyed the bridge that goes over the Siverskyi Donets-Donbas Canal between Ivanivske and Stupochky. Now the highway is severed. The existing bridge is irreparable however the distance to span is much shorter than when Russia blew the bridges at Severodonetsk in June. It will be interesting to see if Ukraine uses bridging equipment here (or nearby) to keep the line open, or accept the loss of the GLOC. From satellite images it appears to be a location you could fill with rip rap and gravel, but it is unclear if Ukraine wants to make the investment.

Yes, Russia would need that bridge so it is a short sighted decision but at least Russian military commanders are consistent. This will complicate logistics for Ukraine, especially after learning that the situation on the T-504 was better than expressed by Russian sources.