The Battle For Bakhmut: The Bloodiest Infantry Brawl Since World War II

A 21-year-old Ukrainian soldier from the 28th Mechanized Brigade exchanges fire with Russian positions near Bakhmut on April 5.

After eight months of fighting and massive losses on both sides, the fight for the ruined city, which was once home to 70,000 people, continues.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, is seen in a still from a video released on April 3, after claiming to have captured the devastated center of Bakhmut. The claim was denied by Ukrainian and U.S. officials.

Ukrainian soldiers from the 28th Mechanized Brigade run between positions at the front line.

Despite Ukrainian forces being outnumbered, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said his troops would keep fighting for Bakhmut despite the "very, very difficult" situation there.

A Ukrainian soldier fires a rocket-propelled grenade at Russian forces.

Ukrainian soldiers during a lull in the fighting.

Others have argued that the capture of Bakhmut would allow Russian forces to advance west towards Slovyansk and Kramtorsk, an industrial hub.

As the sounds of incoming fire rumble above, Ukrainian soldiers are forced to take cover in the dark confines of their trenches.

An anti-drone device ready for use.

Ukrainian defenders smoke cigarettes as they wait out the incoming fire.