Eight years ago, pro-Russian separatists tried to gain a foothold in Bakhmut – in vain, even if the conflict smoldered. In the early summer of last year, Russia began shelling the city of 75,000 again. Since then, the place has been fought over like no other. The battle for Bakhmut is called “meat grinder” because thousands of soldiers were used as cannon fodder.
Bakhmut in the hands of the Russians
But there is no sign of discouragement – neither on the part of Ukraine nor on the part of Russia. On the contrary: the longer the seemingly endless battle lasts and the more it turns the place into a wasteland of rubble, the more determined the soldiers seem to be to fight.
After a year, the Russian Wagner troops have all but conquered the city. But the defenders are not giving up. Or don’t give up. While the city falls to the Russians, the Ukrainian army recaptures areas around Bakhmut and controls communication routes around the city.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
