Why is Bakhmut so important to Russians and Ukrainians?

The battle for Bakhmut has been raging for seven months: the city in the Donetsk region is one of the hardest fought in Russia’s war against Ukraine. Again and again there was talk of “encirclement” or “retreat”. And yet it went on.

Now there seems to be movement in the frontline: According to Russian military bloggers, the Wagner mercenary force fighting in Bakhmut has meanwhile taken parts in the east, south and north of the city. However, reports that Kiev could now withdraw were denied on Monday.

The Ukrainian army even wants to strengthen its positions again. At a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky, army chief Valeriy Zalushnyi and the commander of the Ukrainian ground forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, spoke out in favor of “continuing the defense operation” and “strengthening our position in Bakhmut”.