Heavy Casualties Reported As Battle For Bakhmut Rages On

A self-propelled howitzer fires at Russian positions near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, on March 10.

Ukrainian forces have repelled several waves of Russian attacks in and around the destroyed eastern city, as commanders on both sides described the situation as "difficult."
 

A satellite image taken in January shows the moonlike landscape of a field on the outskirts of Bakhmut.

Military analysts say both Russia and Ukraine have sustained a high rate of casualties as both sides engage in devastating artillery duels.

Ukrainian soldiers drive an MT-LB vehicle toward the front line on March 11.

Russian regular forces and soldiers from the notorious Wagner private military group control most of the eastern part of Bakhmut and its outskirts to the north and south. Yet they have failed to encircle Ukrainian defenders.
 

Ukrainian soldiers prepare artillery shells.

Ukrainian soldiers fire an M119 howitzer toward Russian positions.

Ukrainian soldiers prepare to join the battle on the front line.

A Ukrainian soldier carries ammunition.

An armored vehicle driven by Ukrainian soldiers heads toward the city of Bakhmut.

Another soldier takes aim at Russian positions.

A member of the Wagner group waits in the interrogation room after being captured by Ukrainian soldiers near Bakhmut.

Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin described the situation in Bakhmut as "tough, very tough," on March 10.  "The closer we are to the center of the city, the harder the fighting.... The Ukrainians throw in endless reserves. But we are advancing and we will be advancing," he said. 

Ukrainian soldiers fire at Russian positions with a 155mm M777 howitzer.

Kyiv announced last week that it had decided to defend Bakhmut rather than withdraw its forces. The battle over the shattered landscape of Bakhmut, described by both sides as "a meat grinder," has become Europe's bloodiest since World War II.