Ukraine Pounds Russian Positions As Its 'Success' Near Bakhmut Continues

A Ukrainian artillery crew fires a Grad multiple rocket launcher toward Russian positions near Bakhmut on July 12.

Serhiy Cherevatiy, spokesman for the eastern military command, said Ukraine had enjoyed "partial success" on the southern flanks of the shattered eastern city Bakhmut and that Ukrainian troops held the strategic initiative there.

Ukrainian soldiers prepare to fire the Grad multiple rocket launcher.

Cherevatiy said Russian forces were putting up "unbelievable resistance" but had failed in attempts to break through Ukrainian lines near Lyman and Kupyansk, which lie between the eastern cities of Luhansk and Kharkiv.




 

Military medics treat an injured Ukrainian soldier in the field hospital near Bakhmut on July 12. Both sides have refused to disclose casualty figures.

 

Cars drive past fields toward the front line near Bakhmut.

Moscow's forces -- which continue to occupy more than 45,000 square kilometers in southern Ukraine -- countered that they are successfully defending the areas near Bakhmut.

Soldiers fire a D-20 howitzer toward Russian positions near Bakhmut on July 11.  

Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said on July 10 that Ukrainian forces managed to capture key heights over Bakhmut, which puts their artillery within range of Russian positions in the city itself. “Our defenders have been keeping the entrances, exits, and movement of the enemy through the city under fire control for several days,” she wrote on Telegram on July 10.

Ukrainian soldiers relax at their position near Bakhmut. 


 

A Ukrainian soldier aims a D-20 howitzer before firing toward Russian positions.

A Ukrainian soldier covers his ears as the D-20 is fired.

Russia captured Bakhmut in May after months of fierce fighting that devastated the 400-year-old city. Since Kyiv launched its counteroffensive early this month, its forces have been slowly recapturing lost territory.