The battle for Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine remains intense as Russian forces make small yet costly gains. Ukrainian forces say mercenaries from the Kremlin-backed Vagner group have been driving Russian advances in the area.
Ukrainian Forces Say They Are Holding Out Around Bakhmut Against Russian Mercenaries
- By RFE/RL
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A Ukrainian soldier fires a mortar on Russian positions in Bakhmut on October 21.
Ukrainian troops say Russian forces have made small yet costly gains, largely thanks to the Kremlin-connected military contractor Vagner group.
Ukrainian troops say Russian forces have made small yet costly gains, largely thanks to the Kremlin-connected military contractor Vagner group.
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A Ukrainian soldier shelters in a trench surrounded by mortar rounds in Bakhmut on October 21.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, a wealthy businessman and close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin also known as "Putin's chef," has been identified as the leader of Vagner.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, a wealthy businessman and close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin also known as "Putin's chef," has been identified as the leader of Vagner.
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A Ukrainian tank fires on Russian positions on October 22.
The Washington Post reported Prigozhin is sending mercenaries into Bakhmut in hopes of capturing it as Russia's military struggles on the battlefield.
The Washington Post reported Prigozhin is sending mercenaries into Bakhmut in hopes of capturing it as Russia's military struggles on the battlefield.
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A plume of smoke rises above Bakhmut during Russian shelling on October 22.
Prigozhin has reportedly recruited almost 1,000 inmates from two prisons in Russia's southwestern Rostov region, promising them early release if they fight in Ukraine.
Prigozhin has reportedly recruited almost 1,000 inmates from two prisons in Russia's southwestern Rostov region, promising them early release if they fight in Ukraine.
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A Ukrainian Su-25 jet releases heat flares near Bakhmut on October 22.
Vagner mercenaries have been implicated in human rights violations including torture, rape, and mass killings in various conflicts, including Ukraine.
Vagner mercenaries have been implicated in human rights violations including torture, rape, and mass killings in various conflicts, including Ukraine.
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A self-propelled artillery vehicle fires near Bakhmut on October 22.
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A Ukrainian soldier holds his assault rifle in the town of Bakhmut on October 13.
Ukraine’s military has achieved significant successes over the past month. Military experts widely agree that strong motivation and Western backing have been crucial to those successes.
Ukraine’s military has achieved significant successes over the past month. Military experts widely agree that strong motivation and Western backing have been crucial to those successes.
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A local resident tries to extinguish a fire after shelling in the town of Bakhmut on October 23.
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Most of Bakhmut's 70,000 citizens have already fled. Those who remain are mostly the elderly living without running water or electricity as the sounds of artillery and explosions echo through the ruins of the city.
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With the city under a barrage of artillery strikes, residents are left to fend for themselves.
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A woman pushes a bicycle loaded with belongings as she leaves Bakhmut on October 23.
