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The Bakhmut region – the heaviest fighting of the entire war has been raging here for months.
Ukrainian medics tend to their wounded comrades.
The losses on both sides are high, the situation is confusing.
These front-line soldiers are obviously expecting an important attack.
Ivan, Ukrainian military medic: »
All battalions have casualties that need to be treated quickly.
It lasts about a week and then it's over.
Either we win or we are forced to retreat.
Now we're preparing for something, I don't know, but thank God we've had few casualties in the last two days."
The Russian army has been trying in vain to capture the city of Bakhmut for months.
The consequences of the fighting - above all airstrikes and artillery fire - are shown in these pictures of the neighboring small town of Soledar published by the Ukrainian army.
Vladyslav, Ukrainian soldier:
»The enemy has increased its activities, including electronic warfare.
There's probably a drone graveyard - both of their drones that were hit by us and of our drones."
Before the war, more than 70,000 people lived in Bachmut - it is difficult to estimate how many are still there.
Because of the constant attacks, they sometimes have to hide in shelters day and night.
Much of the streets have been bombed into a wasteland of burnt-out ruins.
The onset of winter with its icy temperatures further aggravated the situation of the civilian population, and the supply of energy and heat repeatedly went out for long periods of time.
The Ukrainian army is providing humanitarian aid while repelling Russian attacks.
The residents of Bakhmut, who want to stay despite the devastation, receive care packages.
Others follow the call of the Ukrainian authorities to be evacuated.
The fighting makes supplies much more difficult - this also applies to the soldiers,
Oleksandr, Ukrainian soldier:
“I was going to the front line to bring supplies and came under artillery fire.
But there were no direct hits, only the car was slightly damaged by shrapnel.
I had two jobs to take care of.
The ride to the first place was ok, the ride to the second place was awful.
I was worried but I kept going.
I had to bring food to my comrades, they had no more food.«
It is unclear why the Russian army is apparently trying to capture Bakhmut at all costs.
According to the British Ministry of Defense, the battle for the city is primarily a symbolic, political goal of the Russian military leadership - it is not of great strategic importance.
Apparently, soldiers who were only recently drafted into military service are also being used.
Vladyslav, Ukrainian soldier:
“Judging by their equipment and their appearance, their actions and movements, they just try to sneak in and move on foot.
They have no real leadership, nor do they follow any tactics.«
A quick end to the war is still not in sight.
The winter weather makes major counter-offensives by Ukraine almost impossible - but the suffering of the people increases with every day and with every attack.
