The Russian Wagner Group has Bakhmut, a city in eastern Ukraine, practically surrounded with only one road left open, according to the group’s founder Yevgeny Prigozhin. In a recent video, Prigozhin announced that his forces have tightened the noose around the city and are now fighting against old men and children instead of the professional Ukrainian army.
The Battle for Bakhmut: Casualties and Chaos
The frontlines shifted to Bakhmut in July 2022, and the situation on the ground is dire. According to former U.S. Marine Troy Offenbecker, who is fighting in Ukraine’s International Legion, the life expectancy for Ukrainian soldiers in Bakhmut is only around four hours. The city has been dubbed “the meat grinder” due to the brutal and chaotic fighting. Despite claims from the media that Russia is running out of steam, they continue to take new territories every day.
Captured and Frightened: The Face of War
The video released by the Wagner Group showed three captured Ukrainians, an older man and two young boys, who looked frightened and asked to be allowed to go home. The video was geolocated to just 2 km from the center of Bakhmut, according to CNN. The situation in Bakhmut is a stark reminder of the human cost of war and the devastating impact it has on ordinary people.
The Consequences of Surrendering Bakhmut
If Bakhmut falls to the Russian Wagner Group, it would be a significant victory for Russia and a major setback for Ukraine. It would also pave the way for the capture of bigger cities like Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. The fate of Bakhmut and its people hangs in the balance as the war rages on. The consequences of surrendering this city are unpredictable and could have far-reaching impacts on the region and beyond.
🇷🇺⚔️🇺🇦"Wagner practically encircled Bakhmut,there is one road left.If previously with us was fighting professional AFU Army,today we see more and more old and kids(at the end of the video)…" – Yevgeniy Prigozhin pic.twitter.com/2eE0Jb2FKe
— AZ 🛰🌏🌍🌎 (@AZgeopolitics) March 3, 2023
From the safety of their positions high above Artyomsk/Bakhmut @euronews captured the results of the torrential downpour of munitions from the Russian AF pic.twitter.com/a2P32toPfW
— Comrade Scott 'Z.O.V' 🇷🇺 (@schiedamseschot) March 1, 2023
