Battle of Bakhmut: Difference between revisions

| image = File:Bakhmut during the battle (2023-0504-2005), frame 0115989.jpg

| caption = View of western Bakhmut in MayApril 2023

| result = Russian victory – see {{section link||<!--When the Aftermath is summarized, it should be directly linked here ::: Aftermath-->Result}}

{{flagicon image|Ensign of the National Guard of Ukraine.svg}} [[National Guard of Ukraine]]<ref>{{cite web |date=18 November 2022 |script-title=uk:Ніде на фронті не пасуємо перед ворогом, на визначених ділянках готуємо майбутні успіхи – звернення Президента України |trans-title=Nowhere on the front are we grazing in front of the enemy, in certain areas we are preparing future successes – address of the President of Ukraine |url=https://www.president.gov.ua/news/nide-na-fronti-ne-pasuyemo-pered-vorogom-na-viznachenih-dily-79261 |access-date=16 December 2022 |publisher=President of Ukraine |archive-date=25 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125045222/https://www.president.gov.ua/news/nide-na-fronti-ne-pasuyemo-pered-vorogom-na-viznachenih-dily-79261 |url-status=live }}</ref>|{{flagicon image|Flag_of_the_Kastuś_Kalinoŭski_Regiment.svg}} [[Kastuś Kalinoŭski Regiment]]<ref>{{cite web|url = https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1628467947466330115|title = Video of a Milan ATGM strike in the Bakhmut area by members of the Kastus Kalinouski regiment on a Russian position. |author = |authorlink = |date = 22 February 2023|language = en|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20230222190132/https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1628467947466330115|archivedate = 22 February 2023|accessdate = |url-status = live}}</ref>}}

* {{Cite web |last=Kullab |first=Samya |date=2023-05-21 |title=Why Ukraine is waging a brutal war of attrition against Russia over Bakhmut |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/why-ukraine-is-waging-a-brutal-war-of-attrition-against-russia-over-bakhmut |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=[[PBS NewsHour]] |language=en-us}}</ref> It is regarded by some military analysts to be the bloodiest battle since the end of [[World War II]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Zafra |first1=Mariano |last2=McClure |first2=Jon |date=2023-12-21 |title=Uncovering the extensive destruction of Bakhmut in a new detailed analysis |url=https://www.reuters.com/graphics/UKRAINE-CRISIS/MAPS/klvygwawavg/2023-06-21/uncovering-the-extensive-destruction-of-bakhmut-in-a-new-detailed-analysis/ |access-date=2024-02-20 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-06 |title=The Battle For Bakhmut: The Bloodiest Infantry Brawl Since World War II |url=https://www.rferl.org/amp/ukraine-russia-battle-bakhmut-ruins-/32351803.html |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=www.rferl.org}}</ref>

Although, initially a target with lesser tactical importance,<ref name=":10" /> Bakhmut became one of the central battles of the [[Russo-Ukrainian War]], with it gaining significant symbolic importance for both sides, as President Zelensky declared it to be the "fortress of our morale",<ref name=":26" /> and due to the heavy investment of manpower and resources both sides used to control the city.<ref name=":21" /><ref name=":22" /> The battle of Bakhmut has been described as a "meat grinder" and a "vortex" for both the Ukrainian and Russian militaries.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":23" /> The intensity of the battle and the high number of casualties suffered by both sides during the fight, alongside the trench and urban warfare, has drawn comparisons to the [[Battle of Verdun]] in [[World War I]],<ref name=":36">{{Cite journal |last=Gomza |first=Ivan |date=2023-10-02 |title=Roger That: Russia’sRussia's Coup-Proofed Army and Its Combat Effectiveness, 2022–2023 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13518046.2023.2293371 |journal=The Journal of Slavic Military Studies |language=en |volume=36 |issue=4 |pages=435–473 |doi=10.1080/13518046.2023.2293371 |issn=1351-8046}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=13 February 2023 |title='It's like Verdun': The grinding battle for Ukraine's Bakhmut |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230213-it-s-like-verdun-the-grinding-battle-for-ukraine-s-bakhmut |access-date=20 May 2023 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-06-01 |title=Bakhmut and the spirit of Verdun |url=https://www.economist.com/europe/2023/06/01/bakhmut-and-the-spirit-of-verdun |access-date=2024-03-15 |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |issn=0013-0613}}</ref> as well as to the [[Battle of Stalingrad]] in World War II.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Epstein |first=Jake |date=2023-04-12 |title=Ukrainian troops blew up a building to trap Russian forces: report |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/ukrainian-troops-blew-building-trap-russian-forces-blasted-tank-commander-2023-4 |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":28" /><ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1666441630256168964 |user=SpencerGuard |title=Underground warfare and urban warfare often go hand & hand for many reason. Stalingrad was called the rat war. Bakhmut is the Stalingrad of the Ukraine war (yes many differences, but it shows the intense challenges when fighting occurs on a certain type of urban terrain). |first=John |last=Spencer |date=2023-06-707 |access-date=2024-03-15}}</ref> It has been called the most prominent urban battle of the war,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Milevski |first=Lukas |date=2023-11-03 |title=The Urban Warfare Debate, the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, and the Bakhmut Conundrum |url=https://wavellroom.com/2023/11/03/the-bakhmut-conundrum/ |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=Wavell Room |language=en-GB}}</ref> with it being reported as the site of "some of the fiercest urban combat in Europe since World War II".<ref name=":25" />

Night shelling in the city center on 21 September burned the Martynov Palace of Culture, where the humanitarian headquarters worked. During the extinguishing of the fire, the local fire department was shelled, which reported that two [[State Emergency Service of Ukraine|SES]] staff were injured and equipment damaged.<ref>{{cite web |date=8 September 2022 |title=В Бахмуті палає найстаріший палац культури, пошкоджена будівля ДСНС та немає води. Наслідки обстрілів на 8 вересня (ФОТО, ВІДЕО) |trans-title=In Bakhmut, the oldest palace of culture is on fire, the building of the State Emergency Service is damaged and there is no water. Consequences of shelling on 8 September (PHOTOSPhotos, VIDEOVideo) |url=https://freeradio.com.ua/v-bakhmuti-palaie-naistarishyi-palats-kultury-poshkodzhena-budivlia-dsns-ta-nemaie-vody-naslidky-obstriliv-na-8-veresnia-foto-video/ |access-date=18 September 2022 |website=Vilne Radio |archive-date=21 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921144318/https://freeradio.com.ua/v-bakhmuti-palaie-naistarishyi-palats-kultury-poshkodzhena-budivlia-dsns-ta-nemaie-vody-naslidky-obstriliv-na-8-veresnia-foto-video/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At night, a five-story building was also partially destroyed by Russian shelling.<ref>{{cite web |title=У Бахмуті під завалами будинку знайшли тіло загиблого |trans-title=In Bakhmut, the body of the deceased was found under the rubble of a house |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/09/15/7367607/ |access-date=18 September 2022 |website=Українська правда |language=uk |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170324/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/09/15/7367607/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://suspilne.media/281981-z-pid-zavaliv-zrujnovanogo-budinku-v-bahmuti-ratuvalniki-vitagnuli-colovika-ratuvalni-roboti-prodovzuutsa/ |title=З-під завалів зруйнованого будинку в Бахмуті рятувальники витягнули чоловіка. Рятувальні роботи продовжуються |trans-title=Rescuers pulled a man out from under the rubble of a destroyed house in Bakhmut. Rescue operations continue |newspaper=Суспільне &#124; Новини |date=15 September 2022 |publisher=Суспільне |access-date=18 September 2022 |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170413/https://suspilne.media/281981-z-pid-zavaliv-zrujnovanogo-budinku-v-bahmuti-ratuvalniki-vitagnuli-colovika-ratuvalni-roboti-prodovzuutsa/ |url-status=live |author1=Суспільне }}</ref> A Russian missile strike on 22 September destroyed the main bridge across the [[Bakhmutka]] river that bisects the city, disrupting both civilian travel and Ukrainian military logistics.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/09/22/7368676/|work=Ukrainske Pravda|title=Russian occupiers destroy bridge that bisects Bakhmut|date=22 September 2022|access-date=27 December 2022|archive-date=27 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227104716/https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/09/22/7368676/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 7 October, Russian forces advanced into the villages of [[Zaitseve]] and [[Opytne, Bakhmut Raion|Opytne]] on the southern and southeastern outskirts of Bakhmut, while on 10&nbsp;October, the UK Defence Ministry claimed that Russian troops advanced closer to Bakhmut.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/10/7/ukraine-holds-back-russian-advance-in-key-town-of-bakhmut |title=Ukraine battles Russian advance in key town of Bakhmut |access-date=10 October 2022 |archive-date=13 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013143241/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/10/7/ukraine-holds-back-russian-advance-in-key-town-of-bakhmut |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-troops-moving-closer-eastern-ukrainian-town-bakhmut-uk-says-2022-10-10/ |title=Russian troops moving closer to the eastern Ukrainian town of Bakhmut, UK says |newspaper=Reuters |date=10 October 2022 |access-date=10 October 2022 |archive-date=13 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013064706/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-troops-moving-closer-eastern-ukrainian-town-bakhmut-uk-says-2022-10-10/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 12 October, Russian forces claimed to have captured Opytne, located 3&nbsp;km south of Bakhmut, and [[Ivanhrad]], although these towns were still contested.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://censor.net.ua/en/photo_news/417995/fighter_of_128th_brigade_mykhailo_pokydchenko_killed_in_opytne_area_photo |title=Fighter of 128th brigade Mykhailo Pokydchenko killed in Opytne area. PHOTOPhoto |date=6 December 2016 |access-date=14 January 2019 |publisher=Censor.NET |archive-date=15 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415220532/https://censor.net.ua/en/photo_news/417995/fighter_of_128th_brigade_mykhailo_pokydchenko_killed_in_opytne_area_photo |url-status=live }}</ref> Fighting within Bakhmut's urban boundaries began some time before 24 October since, by this day, Ukraine did a minor counteroffensive that pushed Russian forces from some factories on the eastern outskirts of the city, along Patrice Lumumba street.<ref>{{cite news |date=25 October 2022 |title=A Fierce Ukrainian Mechanized Brigade Is Routing Russian Mercenaries In One Symbolic Eastern Town |newspaper=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2022/10/25/a-fierce-ukrainian-mechanized-brigade-is-wrecking-a-russian-mercenary-army-in-one-symbolic-eastern-town/ |access-date=26 October 2022 |archive-date=26 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026150904/https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2022/10/25/a-fierce-ukrainian-mechanized-brigade-is-wrecking-a-russian-mercenary-army-in-one-symbolic-eastern-town/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-24 | title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 24 }}</ref>

In February, Russian forces solidified gains north of Bakhmut and began pressuring Ukrainian troops on the northern axis, making incremental gains in the towns north of the city.<ref name=":18">{{Cite news |date=5 February 2023 |title=Fierce fighting in north of Ukraine's Bakhmut, says Russian head of Wagner militia |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/fierce-fighting-north-ukraines-bakhmut-says-russian-head-wagner-militia-2023-02-05/ |access-date=20 March 2023 |archive-date=19 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319192511/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/fierce-fighting-north-ukraines-bakhmut-says-russian-head-wagner-militia-2023-02-05/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 1 February, ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that the Russians had increased the intensity of attacks on Bakhmut and its surrounding areas.<ref>{{cite news |date=1 February 2023 |title=Russia Pours Fighters Into Battle for Bakhmut |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/01/31/world/russia-ukraine-news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201001810/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/01/31/world/russia-ukraine-news |archive-date=1 February 2023}}</ref> Days later on 5 February, the British Ministry of Defence stated that Russian troops were able to fire upon the M03 and H32 roads north of the city, the main Ukrainian supply route for northern Bakhmut.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Oliphant |first1=Roland |last2=Kilner |first2=James |date=5 February 2023 |title=Russia 'within firing distance' of last few roads out of 'Fortress Bakhmut' |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/02/05/russia-within-firing-distance-last-roads-fortress-bakhmut/ |access-date=20 March 2023 |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=19 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319072223/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/02/05/russia-within-firing-distance-last-roads-fortress-bakhmut/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 11 February, Russian forces captured the village of [[Krasna Hora, Donetsk Oblast|Krasna Hora]] northeast of Bakhmut.<ref>{{cite web |date=12 February 2023 |title=Russian forces take Ukraine village Krasna Hora, north of Bakhmut: Wagner chief |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2023/02/12/Russian-forces-take-Ukraine-village-Krasna-Hora-north-of-Bakhmut-Wagner-chief- |access-date=20 March 2023 |website=Al Arabiya English |language=en |archive-date=21 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321174712/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2023/02/12/Russian-forces-take-Ukraine-village-Krasna-Hora-north-of-Bakhmut-Wagner-chief- |url-status=live }}</ref> Around this time, analysts suggested Russian losses had increased to 820 casualties a day between Bakhmut and the [[battle of Vuhledar]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Service |first=RFE/RL's Ukrainian |title=Wagner Claims To Occupy Ukrainian Village Near Bakhmut Amid Reports Of Massive Russian Casualties |language=en |work=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-wagner-prigozhin-krasna-hora-bakhmut/32267558.html |access-date=20 March 2023 |archive-date=19 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319233236/https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-wagner-prigozhin-krasna-hora-bakhmut/32267558.html |url-status=live }}</ref> By 13 February, the Ukrainian government claimed their defenses in the village of [[Paraskoviivka]] were waning, with fierce battles around the clock.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ukraine Reports 'Difficult' Situation Near Bakhmut |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/ukraine-reports-difficult-situation-near-bakhmut-/6960583.html |access-date=20 March 2023 |website=VOA |date=13 February 2023 |language=en |archive-date=19 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319161438/https://www.voanews.com/a/ukraine-reports-difficult-situation-near-bakhmut-/6960583.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Kullab |first1=Samya |last2=PressKramanau |first2=YURAS KARMANAU AssociatedYuras |date=13 February 2023 |title=Russia pushes advance on Bakhmut as Ukrainian soldiers begin Leopard tank training |url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2023-02-13/russia-advance-bakhmut-bolsters-defenses-south-ukraine |access-date=20 March 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=18 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318194213/https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2023-02-13/russia-advance-bakhmut-bolsters-defenses-south-ukraine |url-status=live }}</ref> By 22 February, Russian forces partially encircled Bakhmut from the east, south, and north.<ref>{{cite web |date=22 February 2023 |title=Rusové obklíčili Bachmut z další strany, naznačil ukrajinský štáb |url=https://www.idnes.cz/zpravy/zahranicni/ukrajina-valka-boje-utok-rusko-obkliceni-bachmut.A230222_080221_zahranicni_ikro |access-date=22 February 2023 |website=iDNES.cz |language=cs |archive-date=19 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319025148/https://www.idnes.cz/zpravy/zahranicni/ukrajina-valka-boje-utok-rusko-obkliceni-bachmut.A230222_080221_zahranicni_ikro |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 7 March, Ukraine withdrew from areas of Bakhmut east of the [[Bakhmutka]] river,<ref name=":13">{{cite news |last1=Arhirova |first1=Hanna |title=Russian forces claim progress in Bakhmut but no end in sight |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/03/08/russia-ukraine-war-bakhmut/736dc5e6-bd89-11ed-9350-7c5fccd598ad_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=9 March 2023 |archive-date=11 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311102745/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/03/08/russia-ukraine-war-bakhmut/736dc5e6-bd89-11ed-9350-7c5fccd598ad_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":14">{{cite web |last1=Hird |first1=Karolina |last2=Mappe |first2=Grace |last3=Wolkov |first3=Nicole |last4=Barros |first4=George |last5=Clark |first5=Mason |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 7, 2023 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-7-2023 |publisher=Institute for the Study of War |access-date=9 March 2023 |archive-date=8 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308225434/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-7-2023 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Walker |first1=Marcus |title=Russia's Wagner Heralds Advance in Bakhmut as Battle Grinds On in Eastern Ukraine |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/russias-wagner-heralds-advance-in-bakhmut-as-battle-grinds-on-in-eastern-ukraine-34538d01 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=8 March 2023 |access-date=9 March 2023 |archive-date=8 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308231941/https://www.wsj.com/articles/russias-wagner-heralds-advance-in-bakhmut-as-battle-grinds-on-in-eastern-ukraine-34538d01 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Sforza |first1=Lauren |title=Russia says it controls eastern Bakhmut |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/3889409-russia-says-it-controls-eastern-bakhmut/ |date=8 March 2023 |work=The Hill |access-date=9 March 2023 |archive-date=8 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308225351/https://thehill.com/policy/international/3889409-russia-says-it-controls-eastern-bakhmut/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ukraine war: Russia's Wagner Group claims full control of eastern Bakhmut districts |url=https://www.euronews.com/2023/03/08/ukraine-war-russias-wagner-group-claims-full-control-of-eastern-bakhmut-districts |date=8 March 2023 |work=Euronews |access-date=9 March 2023 |archive-date=9 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309011949/https://www.euronews.com/2023/03/08/ukraine-war-russias-wagner-group-claims-full-control-of-eastern-bakhmut-districts |url-status=live }}</ref> making the river the [[front line]] between the opposing forces.<ref name="auto"/> On 9 March, the {{ill|[[MiG-17 Monument,aircraft monument (Bakhmut)|lt=MiG-17 Monument|de|MiG-17 Denkmal (Bachmut)}}monument]], which had become a symbol of Ukrainian resistance in Bakhmut during the battle, was destroyed by Russian forces.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://exxpress.at/russische-truppen-posieren-mitten-in-bakhmut-und-sprengen-mig-17-denkmal/|title=Russische Truppen posieren mitten in Bakhmut – und sprengen MiG-17-Denkmal|newspaper=Exxpress|date=11 March 2023|language=de}}</ref> On 11 March, the United Kingdom's [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] said that by this point in the fighting Wagner Group units were "taking the lead in fighting", and that the river had become a "killing zone" for Wagner units while at the same time Ukrainian forces were at risk of being cut off.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |title= Ukraine, Russia say hundreds of enemy troops killed in battle for Bakhmut |url= https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-russia-suffered-more-than-500-killed-wounded-one-day-bakhmut-2023-03-11/ |date= 11 March 2023 |work= Reuters |access-date= 12 March 2023 |archive-date= 12 March 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230312004308/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-russia-suffered-more-than-500-killed-wounded-one-day-bakhmut-2023-03-11/ |url-status= live }}</ref> On 22 March, the UK defence ministry observed that "There is a realistic possibility that the Russian assault on the town (Bakhmut) is losing the limited momentum it had achieved, in part because some Russian Ministry of Defense units have been redeployed to other sectors."<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/other/united-kingdom-speaks-of-a-realistic-possibilit-that-russian-offensive-in-bakhmut-is-losing-momentum/ar-AA18VFne?li=AAaeSy5|title= United Kingdom speaks of a realistic possibilit' that Russian offensive in Bakhmut is losing momentum|author= Barbara O'Sullivan|date= 22 March 2023|publisher= MSN|access-date= 23 March 2023|archive-date= 23 March 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230323032443/https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/other/united-kingdom-speaks-of-a-realistic-possibilit-that-russian-offensive-in-bakhmut-is-losing-momentum/ar-AA18VFne?li=AAaeSy5|url-status= live}}</ref>

Prigozhin said on 28 May that regular Russian forces where performing relief operations, and that the full withdrawal of Wagner forces would not take place until 5 June. The rate of Russian assaults remained low, with only two reported attacks against the suburbs of Orikhovo-Vasylivka and Ivanivske, both of which wherewere unsuccessful. Ukrainian Colonel Serhiy Cherevaty reported one instance of fighting near Bakhmut and published geolocated footage that indicated that Russian forces had made marginal gains west of Klishchiivka.<ref name="ISW May 28">{{cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 28, 2023 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-28-2023 |website=[[Institute for the Study of War]] |access-date=29 May 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529211753/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-28-2023|archive-date=29 May 2023}}</ref>

== PersonnelMilitary strength and tactics ==

Ukrainian forces reportedly consisted of a "hodgepodge of units", consisting initially of the [[93rd Mechanized Brigade (Ukraine)|93rd Mechanized Brigade]] and the [[58th Independent Motorized Infantry Brigade (Ukraine)|58th Motorized Brigade]], who were later reinforced by many other units—including [[Special forces of Ukraine|special forces]] and [[Territorial Defense Forces (Ukraine)|territorial defense]] units—in order to fill in gaps caused by heavy casualties.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name="Nov28" /> The Ukrainians also constantly rotated their units to replenish casualties and prevent combat fatigue.<ref name=":12">{{cite web |date=12 December 2022 |title=У ЗСУ пояснили, чи дійсно 93-тя бригада виходить з Бахмута |url=https://tsn.ua/ato/u-zsu-poyasnili-chi-diysno-93-ya-brigada-vihodit-z-bahmuta-2221282.html |access-date=23 December 2022 |website=ТСН.ua |language=uk |archive-date=24 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224000102/https://tsn.ua/ato/u-zsu-poyasnili-chi-diysno-93-ya-brigada-vihodit-z-bahmuta-2221282.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Ukrainian commanders expended significant resources in Bakhmut, with their strategy being to keep Russia preoccupied with Bakhmut in order to prevent further offensives elsewhere on the front lines.<ref name=bbc13>{{cite news |title=Ukraine war: Heavy losses reported as battle for Bakhmut rages |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64935449 |work=BBC News |date=13 March 2023 |access-date=13 March 2023 |archive-date=13 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313211026/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64935449 |url-status=live }}</ref> Conversely, American military analyst [[Michael Kofman]] argued that Ukraine's usage of well-trained National Guard and infantry units against poorly-trained Wagner forces was tying down Ukraine's well-trained units and preventing them from conducting offensives of their own.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Bigg |first1=Matthew Mpoke |last2=Gibbons-Neff |first2=Thomas |date=1 February 2023 |title=Seeing a Prize, Russia Inundates a Ukraine City With Troops |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/31/world/europe/russia-ukraine-war-bakhmut.html |access-date=1 February 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201180813/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/31/world/europe/russia-ukraine-war-bakhmut.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 10 January 2023, Polish [[think tank]] Rochan Consulting estimated Ukraine may have had ten brigades fighting in Bakhmut at the time, or around 30,000 personnel.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 January 2023 |title=Russian forces may have scored rare success in battle near Bakhmut |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/fe6212f5-bb66-4bf5-a64d-f4001f3ab927 |access-date=10 January 2023 |archive-date=10 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110154010/https://www.ft.com/content/fe6212f5-bb66-4bf5-a64d-f4001f3ab927 |url-status=live }}</ref> Also on 10 January, the number of Ukrainian defenders was reported as 30,000 troops<ref name="auto8">{{cite news | url=https://www.ft.com/content/fe6212f5-bb66-4bf5-a64d-f4001f3ab927 | title=Russian forces may have scored rare success in battle near Bakhmut | newspaper=Financial Times | date=10 January 2023 | access-date=10 January 2023 | archive-date=10 January 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110154010/https://www.ft.com/content/fe6212f5-bb66-4bf5-a64d-f4001f3ab927 | url-status=live }}</ref> while Prigozhin claimed on 17 April that 80,000 Ukrainian troops were defending Bakhmut.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |title=Russia diverting troops to Bakhmut from other Donetsk battles -UK intel |url=https://www.jpost.com/international/article-739566 |access-date=24 April 2023 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |date=18 April 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424001027/https://www.jpost.com/international/article-739566 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 2 June 2023, Prigozhin reported that Wagner forces had been almost totally withdrawn from the battle.<ref name="ISW June 3" /> At the end of June, the Ukrainian military assessed the opposing force strength to be 50,300 soldiers, 330 tanks and 140 artillery systems, and reported that no Wagner personnel remained.<ref name="ISW 30 June 2023" />

{{Summarize section|date=May 2024|reason=the following subsections need a major top-down summary and merge}}

On 21 May 2023, following the effective capture of Bakhmut, some Russian state media outlets compared the fall of the city to the Soviet victory in the [[battle of Berlin]]; a Russian fighter told a [[Channel One Russia|Channel One]] correspondent that he felt "probably the same emotions as [[Red Army|our grandfathers]] had in Berlin".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-bakhmut-79ce2a44951613509ce9d1afede86f97|title=Russia TV celebrates as it reports the capture of Bakhmut, comparing it to Berlin in 1945|first1=Dasha|last1=Litvinova|first2=Samya|last2=Kullab|work=[[AP News]]|date=22 May 2023|access-date=27 May 2023}}</ref> Meanwhile, other [[Angry patriots|Russian ultranationalist milbloggers]] celebrated the capture of Bakhmut but emphasized that "Bakhmut is not Berlin" and that the capture of the city would be simply another step in ongoing difficult operations to achieve Russian objectives in Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-21-2023|title=RUSSIANRussian OFFENSIVEOffensive CAMPAIGNCampaign ASSESSMENTAssessment, MAYMay 21, 2023|website=Institute for the Study of War}}</ref>

On 24 February, American General [[Mark Milley]], [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]], claimed that the Russians had lost between 1,100 and 1,200 soldiers killed "down around" Bakhmut the previous day alone, a death toll he compared with the battles of [[Battle of Iwo Jima|Iwo Jima]] and [[Battle of Shiloh|Shiloh]]. If accurate, this would make it one of the deadliest days of the war soby farthat point.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/02/24/russia-ukraine-war-oral-history-00083757 | title='Something Was Badly Wrong': When Washington Realized Russia Was Actually Invading Ukraine | website=[[Politico]] | date=24 February 2023 | access-date=8 April 2023 | archive-date=10 April 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410182453/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/02/24/russia-ukraine-war-oral-history-00083757 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/03/14/did-the-ukrainian-army-kill-1100-russians-in-a-single-day-its-certainly-possible/?sh=12f9a4a7b5c3 | title=Did the Ukrainian Army Kill 1,100 Russians in a Single Day? It's Certainly Possible | website=[[Forbes]] | access-date=8 April 2023 | archive-date=31 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331050732/https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/03/14/did-the-ukrainian-army-kill-1100-russians-in-a-single-day-its-certainly-possible/?sh=12f9a4a7b5c3 | url-status=live }}</ref> Meanwhile, two days later on 26 February, former Ukrainian Defence Minister [[Oleksii Reznikov]] stated that the Russians were losing 500 men killed and another 900 wounded in action every day fighting for Bakhmut.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://euromaidanpress.com/2023/02/26/russia-loses-500-soldiers-a-day-in-bakhmut-offensive-alone-ukraines-defense-minister/ |title=Russia loses 500 soldiers a day in Bakhmut offensive alone – Ukraine's Defense Minister |date=26 February 2023 |access-date=8 April 2023 |archive-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402080521/https://euromaidanpress.com/2023/02/26/russia-loses-500-soldiers-a-day-in-bakhmut-offensive-alone-ukraines-defense-minister/ |url-status=live}}</ref> General Milley, appearing before the [[United States House Committee on Armed Services|US House Committee on Armed Services]] on 29 March, described the reportedly high Russian casualties as a "slaughter-fest".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Britzky |first=Haley |date=29 March 2023 |title=Battle for Bakhmut has turned into a "slaughter-fest for the Russians," top US general says |work=[[CNN]] |url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-03-29-23/h_cfb6c51a8d57fdb537947bd3ea45c062 |access-date=11 April 2023}}, and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ8E4GwQ84I Russia is 'getting hammered': Top US general on Bakhmut battle], CNN, 30 March 2023 (accessed 11 April 2023).</ref>

On 24 May, [[Yevgeny Prigozhin]] stated that over 20,000 Wagner fighters had been killed in the Bakhmut battle, with half that number being former prisoners. He also reported that they had as many wounded as killed.<ref>{{Cite news|date=24 May 2023 |title= Russia's Wagner boss says more than 20,000 of his troops died in Bakhmut battle |language=en-GB |author= Susie Blann |work=APNews|url= https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-border-raid-4f63ade7fb3899b6fa903b562ada0e2c |access-date=24 May 2023}}</ref><ref name="auto9"/><ref name="auto4"/><ref>{{cite news| title=Wagner Says 20,000 of Its Troops Have Died Taking Ukraine's Bakhmut| url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/wagner-says-20-000-of-its-troops-have-died-taking-ukraines-bakhmut-f6d6ee11?page=1| newspaper=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> However, former Russian officer and [[milblogger]] [[Igor Girkin]], opined that Wagner has likely suffered more than 40,000 killed in action, (including 15,000 mercenaries and 25,000 prisoners), with again the same number wounded. In part, this is based on a claimed discrepancy between the number of prisoners recruited and, the number either reported killed or repatriated at the end of their service. If indeed he is correct, this would mean Prigozhin had only 5,000 of the aforementioned 85,000 he had at the beginning of the battle.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 24, 2023 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-24-2023 |access-date=25 May 2023 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en}}</ref><ref>[https://euromaidanpress.com/2023/05/27/frontline-report-prigozhins-video-exposes-high-losses-and-failure-of-wagner-group-in-battle-for-bakhmut/ Frontline report: Prigozhin's video exposes high losses and failure of Wagner Group in battle for Bakhmut]</ref> Meanwhile, Ukraine claims that Wagner has suffered over 81,000 casualties during the battle with 21,000 killed.<ref name="ISW June 8">{{cite web |last1=Hird |first1=Karolina |last2=Barros |first2=George |last3=Mappes |first3=Grace |last4=Wolkov |first4=Nicole |last5=Clark |first5=Mason |last6=Kagan |first6=Fredrick W. |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 8, 2023 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-8-2023 |website=[[Institute for the Study of War]] |access-date=9 June 2023}}</ref><ref name="auto3"/><ref name="auto6"/>

[[Mediazona]] [[OSINT|open-source analysis]] results in Russian losses of up to 800 killed per week by public obituaries alone.<ref>{{Cite web |title=«Мясорубка хуже бахмутской». Скольких жизней и военной техники стоил России захват Авдеевки |url=https://theins.info/politika/269773 |access-date=2024-03-13 |website=The Insider |language=ru}}</ref> Fall 2023 research suggests that recent estimates{{Who|date=February 2024}} have Russian losses at 32,000–43,000 dead and 95,000 wounded.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Merkx |first=Gilbert W. |date=2023 |title=Russia's War in Ukraine: Two Decisive Factors |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/419/article/909028 |journal=Journal of Advanced Military Studies |volume=14 |issue=2 |pages=13–33 |doi=10.21140/mcuj.20231402001 |issn=2770-260X}}</ref>{{dubious|date=February 2024|reason=So far, we haven't been able to find the original author of the estimate to corroborate Merkx's statement. See Wikipedia:Reliable sources/Noticeboard#Gilbert W. Merkx and the Journal of Advanced Military Studies.}} 2024 academic researches indicate Russian forces casualties as up to 4 times more than of Ukrainian, however Ukraine was losing valuable experienced soldiers, and Russian - Wagner forces were likely 70% ex-convicts.<ref name=":24" /><ref name=":33">{{Citation |last=Brands |first=Hal |title=6. The Russia-Ukraine War: Military Operations and Battlefield Dynamics |date=2024 |work=War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy, and the Return of a Fractured World |pages=99–120 |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/oa_edited_volume/chapter/3881920 |access-date=2024-04-14 |publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press |language=English |isbn=978-1-4214-4986-9}}</ref>

=== Attrition and result ===

=== Result ===<!-- We should seriously use more recent sources for these victory assessments. A common theme of the first assessments is to assume that the 2023 counteroffensive would have been successful, which turned out to be incorrect. -->

Multiple war studies academic researchers characterize the outcome of the battle as a "[[Pyrrhic victory|pyrrhic]]" Russian victory,<ref name=":36" /><ref name=":333">{{Citation |last=Brands |first=Hal |title=6. The Russia-Ukraine War: Military Operations and Battlefield Dynamics |date=2024 |work=War in Ukraine: Conflict, Strategy, and the Return of a Fractured World |pages=99–120 |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/oa_edited_volume/chapter/3881920 |access-date=2024-04-14 |publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press |language=English |isbn=978-1-4214-4986-9}}</ref><ref name=":353">{{Cite web |last1=Schwirtz |first1=Michael |last2=Santora |first2=Marc |date=22 May 2023 |title=Russia Claims Bakhmut, but Some See a 'Pyrrhic Victory' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/22/world/europe/bakhmut-russia-ukraine-retreat.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522202631/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/22/world/europe/bakhmut-russia-ukraine-retreat.html |archive-date=22 May 2023 |access-date=13 February 2024 |work=The New York Times |quote="Look up 'Pyrrhic victory,'" said Ben Barry, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a research group based in London. "A victory which imposes such casualties on the side that supposedly wins the battle that it actually doesn't help them achieve their strategic ends." This is most likely what Russia has achieved in Bakhmut, Mr. Barry said, though he cautioned that there were many unknowns, including the possibility that Russia had reserved its more elite, well-prepared units for additional offensive operations along the sprawling eastern front. Ultimately, though, few significant changes on the battlefield should be expected immediately, Mr. Barry and other experts said.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Russia&#x27;'s strategy in the Ukraine war: restoring Russian greatness by any means necessary |url=https://www.cassis.uni-bonn.de/en/publications/russlands-strategie-im-ukrainekrieg |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=CASSIS |page=169 |language=en}}</ref>, whereas other sources used terms such asor "hollow" to describe the Russian victory.<ref name=":34">{{Cite web |title=The Kremlin's Pyrrhic Victory in Bakhmut: A Retrospective on the Battle for Bakhmut |last=Stepanenko |first=Kateryna |work=Institute for the Study of War |date=24 May 2023 |access-date=13 February 2024 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/kremlin%E2%80%99s-pyrrhic-victory-bakhmut-retrospective-battle-bakhmut |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524152225/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/kremlin%E2%80%99s-pyrrhic-victory-bakhmut-retrospective-battle-bakhmut |archive-date=24 May 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BI 2023-12-22" /> British military analyst Ben Barry cautioned that Russia may have reserved its more elite, well-prepared units for future operations, but nevertheless considered the victory to be "pyrrhic".<ref name=":35">{{Cite web |last1=Schwirtz |first1=Michael |last2=Santora |first2=Marc |date=22 May 2023 |title=Russia Claims Bakhmut, but Some See a 'Pyrrhic Victory' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/22/world/europe/bakhmut-russia-ukraine-retreat.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522202631/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/22/world/europe/bakhmut-russia-ukraine-retreat.html |archive-date=22 May 2023 |access-date=13 February 2024 |work=The New York Times |quote="Look up 'Pyrrhic victory,'" said Ben Barry, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a research group based in London. "A victory which imposes such casualties on the side that supposedly wins the battle that it actually doesn't help them achieve their strategic ends." This is most likely what Russia has achieved in Bakhmut, Mr. Barry said, though he cautioned that there were many unknowns, including the possibility that Russia had reserved its more elite, well-prepared units for additional offensive operations along the sprawling eastern front. Ultimately, though, few significant changes on the battlefield should be expected immediately, Mr. Barry and other experts said.}}</ref> Other independent analysts and news organizations, nonetheless, considered the attritional battle an overall Russian victory.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blackburn |first=Matthew |date=21 November 2023 |title=Ukraine War: Selling Stalemate and Prolonging Pain |url=https://nationalinterest.org/feature/ukraine-war-selling-stalemate-and-prolonging-pain-207395 |url-status=live<!-- |quote=Its current operation in Andiivka is reminiscent of the battle of Bakhmut, a Russian victory that got little attention in the West but serves as a model of their slow, grinding, but successful approach to attritional warfare.--> |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122005319/https://nationalinterest.org/feature/ukraine-war-selling-stalemate-and-prolonging-pain-207395 |archive-date=22 November 2023 |access-date=13 February 2024 |work=The National Interest}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bommakanti |first=Kartik |date=10 October 2023 |title=Ukraine-Russia and Hamas-Israel wars: Adaptation is key |url=https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/ukraine-russia-and-hamas-israel-wars-adaptation-is-key |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231229133304/https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/ukraine-russia-and-hamas-israel-wars-adaptation-is-key |archive-date=29 December 2023 |access-date=15 February 2024 |work=Observer Research Foundation}}</ref> and a strategic Ukrainian defeat.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Urban Warfare Debate, the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, and the Bakhmut Conundrum |last=Milevski |first=Lukas |work=Wavell Room |date=3 November 2023 |access-date=13 February 2024 |url=https://wavellroom.com/2023/11/03/the-bakhmut-conundrum/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202075353/https://wavellroom.com/2023/11/03/the-bakhmut-conundrum/ |archive-date=2 December 2023 |url-status=live<!-- |quote=By the end of May, the Russians had essentially won the battle.-->}}</ref>

American officials repeatedly voiced concern over Ukraine's decision to keep a large presence in the Bakhmut area despite unfavorable conditions. Some observers even linked the heavy losses Ukraine suffered during the battle with the failures of the subsequent [[2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive|counteroffensive]], given that Russian casualties in Bakhmut were mostly expendable [[Impressment|press-ganged]] ex-convicts that freed up regular Russian forces to [[Russian defense lines during the Russian invasion of Ukraine#Surovikin Line|build up defenses]] along the [[Zaporizhzhia|Zaporizhzhia front]], whereas elite Ukrainian units such as the [[93rd Mechanized Brigade (Ukraine)|93rd Mechanised brigade]], which had a direct overall impact to the aforementioned counteroffensive, suffered heavy attrition in Bakhmut.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Miscalculations, divisions marked offensive planning by U.S., Ukraine |author=<!-- Washington Post staff --> |newspaper=Washington Post |date=4 December 2023 |access-date=17 February 2024 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/12/04/ukraine-counteroffensive-us-planning-russia-war/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231204111754/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/12/04/ukraine-counteroffensive-us-planning-russia-war/ |archive-date=4 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ukraine's dreams of counter-offensive triumph have hit a hard reality |last=Oliphant |first=Roland |work=The Telegraph |date=23 August 2023 |access-date=17 February 2024 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/08/23/western-criticism-blame-ukraine-failing-counter-offensive/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823215435/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/08/23/western-criticism-blame-ukraine-failing-counter-offensive/ |archive-date=23 August 2023}}</ref>

[[Category:Battles of the Eastern Ukraine campaign]]