About our Bakhmut news
Latest news on Bakhmut, providing comprehensive coverage of the ongoing conflict, strategic importance, humanitarian crisis, and historical significance of this embattled city in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region, including the recent major battle from July 2022 to May 2023.
Bakhmut, a city in Donetsk Oblast with a pre-war population of over 70,000, has become a focal point of intense fighting in the Russo-Ukrainian War. The battle for Bakhmut, lasting from July 2022 to May 2023, was one of the longest and bloodiest of the war, drawing comparisons to the Battle of Verdun in World War I due to its brutal nature and high casualty rates. Russian forces, primarily led by the Wagner Group mercenaries, engaged in a prolonged assault on the city, which Ukrainian forces desperately defended.
Recent developments saw Russian forces claim full control of Bakhmut on 20 May 2023, though Ukraine initially disputed this claim. The battle's aftermath has left the city largely destroyed, with only about 500 civilians remaining as of June 2023. The intense urban combat and trench warfare that characterized the battle have been described as some of the fiercest fighting in Europe since World War II, earning Bakhmut the moniker of "fortress of our morale" from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The human cost of the Battle of Bakhmut has been staggering. While exact figures are disputed, both sides suffered heavy casualties. The battle became known as a "meat grinder," with estimates of Russian losses ranging from 20,000 to 100,000 troops. Ukrainian losses, while reportedly lower, were also significant. The civilian toll has been severe, with over 200 residents killed and 500 injured since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Historically, Bakhmut has been an important industrial centre, particularly known for salt mining and wine production. Founded in the 16th century, the city has a rich history, including periods as an administrative centre in the Russian Empire and Soviet Union. Its strategic value in the current conflict has been debated, with some analysts viewing it as more symbolic than tactically significant, while others argue its capture could threaten larger Donbas cities like Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.
Our Â鶹´«Ã½ feed on Bakhmut provides real-time updates from a wide range of reliable sources, including international news agencies, Ukrainian and Russian official statements, and on-the-ground reports. As the situation continues to evolve, our feed offers comprehensive coverage of military movements, humanitarian efforts, and the broader implications of this pivotal battle in the Russo-Ukrainian War.