Battle For Bakhmut Rages On As Russia's Wagner Claims More Territory

Ukrainian soldiers fire an S60 antiaircraft gun at Russian positions near Bakhmut on March 20.

"At the moment, Wagner units control around 70 percent of the city of Bakhmut," claimed Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Russian mercenary group, on March 20.
 

Ukrainian T-64 tanks move toward Bakhmut.

Though outnumbered and outgunned, Ukrainian forces retain control of the western part of Bakhmut.
 

Smoke rises from the city of Bakhmut as Ukrainian forces travel through Chasiv Yar on an M113 armored personnel vehicle.

Chasiv Yar, which is perched on a hill a few kilometers to the west, is most likely to become the next defense line against Moscow's forces.

A Ukrainian soldier fires his rifle at a drone. 
 

A Russian drone flies above Ukrainian forces.

Russia, which refers to the city by its Soviet-era name of Artyomovsk, says capturing Bakhmut will allow it to launch more offensives deeper into Ukrainian territory.

Ukrainian servicemen fire an S60 antiaircraft gun at Russian positions.

A Ukrainian soldier of the "Adam" tactical group prepares a T-64 tank before it's moved into position on March 19.

A Ukrainian soldier plays with her braids as she rests in a shelter on March 18.

As the Russian assaults intensify, there have been high rates of casualties on both sides.