The Battle of Bakhmut- A Waging War Over An Unsatiated Hunger

The Battle of Bakhmut is a series of ongoing military engagement with the city of Bakhmut as a witness to bloodshed between the Ukrainian and the Russian Armed Forces. The nine-month battle was initiated to acquire control of the city, an integral area to assist in strategically capturing Donbas- located in eastern Ukraine, with its casualties and destructions being compared to the Battle of Verdun in World War I.

As of 20th May, 2023, Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Russian defence ministry both claimed that Bakhmut was completely captured. However, Ukraine denied any claims and stated that battle over the city still ensued, before Hanna Maliar, a deputy defense minister, claimed that the city had, in fact, been lost to Russia.

By 24th May, 2023, Russian military troops had initiated ‘mopping up’ procedures to sweep any Ukrainian soldiers left in Bakhmut, as the commander of Ukraine’s ground forces, Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky, subtly hinted that Russia had found victory in acquiring control of the city since nearly a year. He further stated that troops staying behind in Bakhmut were in efforts to welcome “opportunities to enter the city in case of a change of circumstances.”

With Bakhmut in ruins, and in the perverse hands of Russia, leaving a vitriolic impact on its habitants, the Ukranian military has turned its attention to securing defense on the outskirts of the city, and while Russia has won the battle of seizing Bakhmut, Ukraine has now challenged them in holding their control over the city.

Written by Tarini Dayal