THE BATTLE: The fight for Bakhmut, a city in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine that has been left in ruins, has become a focal point of the war. Both sides have poured troops into battle and sustained heavy casualties. Bakhmut is viewed as a springboard for President Vladimir V. Putin’s stated aim of seizing the entire Donbas, while for Ukraine it has become a symbol of resistance. This year, Russia seized towns and villages to the north and south of Bakhmut, entering the city itself and forcing Ukraine to defend a shrinking slice of urban ground, as signs grew that Ukraine might be forced to retreat.
THE LATEST: Both sides have cited gains in recent days, though the claims could be verified. The commander of Ukraine’s eastern group of forces, Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky, said in comments reported on Monday that Russia had been forced to withdraw from “some positions in some parts of the city.” On Saturday, a Ukrainian army spokesman said that Russian forces had failed to capture a key road…
2023-05-01 07:50:29
Link from www.nytimes.com