Russia turned Bakhmut into the graveyard of Ukrainian military power, writes Alexander Motyl

General Sergey Vladimirovich Surovikin assumed command of the Russian military in the Ukrainian theater last year.

He was given wide latitude to streamline command relationships and reorganize the theater.

Russia turned Bakhmut into the graveyard of Ukrainian military power, he says.

He says Russia will likely take the offense once offensive resources are exhausted.

If Russia is to achieve its aim of demilitarizing Ukraine, Gerasimov surely knows he must still close with and complete the destruction of the Ukrainian ground forces that remain.

Why not spare the people of Ukraine further bloodletting and negotiate with Moscow for peace while Ukraine still possesses an army? To be effective, diplomacy requires mutual respect, and Washington's effusive hatred for Russia makes diplomacy impossible.