Ukrainian Troops Put Up Fierce Resistance As Battle For 'Fortress Bakhmut' Rages On

Ukrainian soldiers fire a self-propelled howitzer toward Russian positions near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, on March 5.

Moscow's forces are seeking to encircle the destroyed eastern Ukrainian city, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called "our fortress."

A Ukrainian soldier reacts as a self-propelled howitzer fires on Russian positions. 

Known as the "Bakhmut Meat Grinder," the battle for the city, which began over the summer, has resulted in apocalyptic scenes of death and destruction.

Located astride two major crossroads, Bakhmut, which had a pre-war population of 70,000, has been almost completely destroyed during intense fighting.

Ukrainian soldiers tasked with defending the city have been living in waterlogged and muddy trenches.

Moscow's forces continue their round-the-clock shelling of the shattered city and Ukrainian troops.

Ukrainian soldiers fire a 2S5 Giatsint-S self-propelled howitzer toward Russian troops.

A Ukrainian soldier peers out of a self-propelled howitzer.

Ukrainian soldiers take up positions close to the front line near Bakhmut.

The bandaged hands of a wounded Ukrainian soldier

Ukrainian forces use drones to locate and target Russian positions.
 

Ukrainian Armed Forces helicopters fly over a field outside the frontline city of Bakhmut.

 

As fears grow that Kyiv may be pulling its forces out of the destroyed city, Ukrainian soldiers were seen digging new trenches outside Bakhmut on March 4.
 

Ukrainian soldiers take a break at a shelter on March 3 as the battle for control of the city continues.

Zelenskiy acknowledged in his nightly video address on March 5 that the battle for the eastern Donbas region is “painful and challenging” as the Kremlin's forces continued their efforts to encircle the city.