Ukrainian War: Russian Army Slowly Occupies Around Bahmut

“Get as close to the wall as possible. Move quickly. in one line. Only a few at a time.”

Ukrainian troops escorting BBC reporters in Bakhmut, eastern Ukraine, gave short, staccato notes.

Once famous for its sparkling wine, Bahmut is now war-scarred.

For the past six months, Russian forces have been relentlessly trying to capture Bahmut, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has described as “our fortress.” Ukrainian forces claim that Russia is stepping up its offensive to take the city ahead of the first anniversary of the war.

We moved swiftly through the cold, rubble-strewn streets under a clear blue sky. It was the perfect sunny day for Russian drones to fly.

As soon as we crossed the street, two Russian shells slammed behind us from the other side. I turned around and watched the black smoke rise, then ran straight again.

Was it a random attack, or was it aimed at us? I’m not sure, but in Bahmut, anything that moves, whether soldiers or civilians, becomes a target.

For several hours, artillery fire at each other continued without a break. A Russian fighter jet roars overhead. The Russian army is encamped only 2km away.

Even though street fighting is taking place in some areas, the Ukrainian army still did not lose Bahmut even in severe sub-zero weather and ammunition shortages.

“All kinds of ammunition, especially shells, are in short supply,” said Captain Mikhailo of the 93rd Mechanized Brigade. “We are in need of encrypted communication devices and armored personnel carriers from our Western allies,” he said. “Still, the Ukrainian military is doing well. One of the key lessons from this war is how to fight with limited resources.”

Ukrainian forces fired 60mm mortars at Russian positions. The first mortar went off with a loud bang. However, the second gun was not fired. It was a moment when we could feel the problem of the ammunition shortage of the Ukrainian army.

“Misfired” with hissing smoke, the mortar unit struggled to cover. The ammunition was said to be an old inventory from overseas.

The battle over Bahmut is a war within this war. Some of the fiercest fighting of the war took place here, where the Russians are now slowly gaining ground.

Mercenaries belonging to the notorious private mercenary company ‘Wagner Group’ also arrived in Bahmut one after another. There were also reports that there were also grounds full of Russian corpses.

Now, the two main roads leading to the city of Bahmut are effectively in Russian hands, and only one narrow supply corridor remains as a route of movement to the rear.

“Russian forces have been trying to occupy Bahmut since July of last year,” said Irina, public affairs officer of the 93rd Brigade. “And now, little by little, Russia is winning. The Russian side has more resources, so if the battle lasts longer, they will win. It is unknown how long it will take.”

“Russian military resources will be exhausted someday. I really hope so.”

We moved from the secretly hidden firing range to the bunker. The bunker was filled with the hum of generators and the warmth of stoves. However, the Ukrainian military tried to cover up the stove smoke. Because the location may be discovered.

On the other hand, in Bahmut, I was able to meet a soldier who was determined to never stop.

Commander Ihor, dressed in camouflage, said in a determined, war-hardened voice, “They are trying to besiege Bahmut to get us out. But it is useless,” he said. “Now we are protecting this place. Material transport is also possible despite continuous shelling. Of course, there are losses on our side too, but we are holding on. We have only one option, to keep moving towards victory.”

Of course, Ukrainian forces have another option: to withdraw from Bahmut before it’s too late. However, the soldiers I met at the scene did not seem to be interested in retreating.

Captain Mihailo said, “If such an order is given from the headquarters, an order is an order (will be followed)”, but “If we withdraw, what does it mean that we have endured here for the past few months? We do not want to withdraw,” he said.

At the same time, he remembered those who gave their lives for Bahmut as “wonderful and courageous people who loved their country.”

If Ukrainian forces were withdrawn from Bakhmut, Russian forces would be able to advance more easily towards the larger cities of eastern Ukraine, such as Kramatorsk and Slovyansk.

While Russia intensified its offensive in the eastern Donbas region and other frontier areas in the south, Ukraine said Russia had already launched a new offensive.

The Russian military is counting the time ahead of the 24th of this month, which will be the first anniversary of the war. Captain Mihailo also said, “They are frantic about declaring the so-called ‘Victory Day’.”

However, Viktor, the tall, skinny commander we met in the bunker, explained that the attrition at Bahmut might be exhausting the Russians.

Commander Viktor, picking up a Russian magazine from a shelf in the bunker, said, “Currently, the Russians are not defending. “We are continuing to expand the occupied territory by several meters, but our military is trying to avoid being taken away as much as possible. We are holding the enemy here and exhausting them,” he said.

He may be right.

Meanwhile, if you know where to find it, Bahmut still has a handful of inhabitants.

Passing through the box containing the donated groceries, open the door and enter a place called the ‘Invincible Center’, where you can meet the hot heat and light.

Once a boxing ground, it has been transformed into a place for locals to take a break to recharge their phones, eat hot food, and build camaraderie.

When we visited, it was already full of people. Older women were huddled around a fire, and two young children were sitting in a boxing ring, clinging to a TV screen playing war games.

About 5,000 civilians are still left in Bahmut, without water or electricity. Most of them are elderly or in poor circumstances. Also, according to one Ukrainian, “There are those who are pro-Russian. They are waiting for the Russians.”

Psychologist Tetiana (23), who was watching over her younger brother and sister at the shelter here, explained that in Bahmut, everyone is fighting their own battle. She said that Tetiana had her 86-year-old grandmother with her mobility impaired and she couldn’t leave.

“Most of the residents pray to God and try to overcome it,” said Tetiana. “Faith is helpful. Some forget that they are human and show aggression. They even behave worse than animals,” she said.

We got out of Bahmut leaving behind the sound of shells and battles in the ruined city.