Bakhmut in ruins after nearly a year of fighting

Commercial satellite images show the city of Bakhmut almost completely leveled after bloody fighting that has lasted nearly a year.

On May 19, the US company Maxar released high-definition satellite images taken in May 2022 and May 2023, showing the extent of destruction after months of fierce fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces in the city of Bakhmut in Donetsk province.

Panoramic view of Bakhmut city in May 2022 (left) and May 2023. Photo: Maxar

In photos from May 2022, the city was still intact with colorful roofs and green patches covering the ground. Exactly one year later, Bakhmut is like a ghost town covered in thick smoke, the vegetation has disappeared, most of the buildings have been leveled or severely damaged.

The images were released just a day before Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of Russia's private security group Wagner, announced his forces had taken full control of Bakhmut, ending a nearly 10-month battle for the city.

A residential area in the center of Bakhmut in May 2022 (left) and May 2023. Photo: Maxar

The battle for Bakhmut is considered the most intense and prolonged since the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out in February 2022. Western experts expressed skepticism about the strategic significance of Bakhmut, but said that controlling the city would create some advantages for Russia.

Kiev says its military is determined to hold Bakhmut to contain Moscow's forces in the region. Meanwhile, controlling Bakhmut could allow Russia to push further west and directly target Ukrainian defenses in the area.

Since the start of the Bakhmut offensive in mid-2022, Russia’s signature tactic has been “artillery first, then assault,” but with some improvements. The Russian military and Wagner group often send small units to probe the defense system and force Ukraine to reveal its position when opening fire, after which the rear artillery will pound the Ukrainian defenses.

The school and apartment complex in central Bakhmut in May 2022 (left) and May 2023. Photo: Maxar

This tactic cost Ukraine many experienced soldiers, but also required Russia to use a lot of artillery. As the artillery changed direction and Wagner forces advanced, they became easy targets for Ukrainian soldiers in bunkers.

Serhiy Cherevatyi, a spokesman for Ukraine's eastern command, dismissed Wagner's claim of control of Bakhmut. "Our units continue fighting in Bakhmut," Mr Cherevatyi said.

Vu Anh (According to Guardian )

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