In this episode of MWI’s Urban Warfare Project Podcast, John Spencer is joined again by Michael Kofman, director of the Russia Studies Program at CNA. He researches Russia and the former Soviet Union, specializing in Russian armed forces, military thought, capabilities, and strategy.

He also recently returned from Bakhmut, Ukraine—the scene of intense fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces over the past several months. In the conversation, he describes that trip and what he learned there. He also analyzes the situation from the perspective of both sides in the battle, including their approaches and motivations, as well as the battle’s possible outcomes. Finally, Kofman and Spencer discuss the unique urban features that are contributing to the complexity of this battle as well as others in the Russia-Ukraine War.

You can listen to the discussion below or find the episode on Apple PodcastsStitcherSpotifyTuneIn, or your favorite podcast app. Be sure to subscribe, and if you’re enjoying the Urban Warfare Project Podcast, please take a minute and leave the podcast a review or give it a rating!

Image credit: Mil.gov.ua, via Wikimedia Commons