Where is Ukraine's Bakhmut... Zelensky: "If it falls, we have to give up all of the East"

A Small Mining Town Turned Frontline
Intense Psychological Warfare Ahead of Armistice Negotiations

The Bakhmut area in Donetsk Province, a small mining town in Ukraine, is attracting global attention as fierce clashes continue between Ukraine and Russia. Despite Russia having seized most of the area and encircling the city center, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized the determination to hold the city, signaling that the tug-of-war between the two armies is expected to intensify. Some express concerns that many civilians are being sacrificed in this psychological battle to gain advantageous positions ahead of future ceasefire negotiations, rather than for tactical or strategic importance.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

On the 7th (local time), President Zelenskyy said in an interview with CNN, "If Russian forces capture Bakhmut, they could advance further," adding, "Russian troops could move toward Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, opening the way to other cities in Donetsk. This is why our forces remain in Bakhmut until the end."

Bakhmut is a small city with a pre-war population of about 70,000. Since the 16th century, it has been known as the largest salt mining area within the Russian Empire due to the development of rock salt mines. At the beginning of the war, unlike major industrial cities with high population density such as Kramatorsk or Sloviansk, it was not a frontline area. However, since September last year, as Ukrainian forces reclaimed significant territory in Donetsk Province, this area has become the frontline.

According to CNN, military experts also assess that Bakhmut itself does not hold significant strategic value. However, since the road network connecting Kramatorsk and Sloviansk begins here, if this area falls, it is expected to become easier for Russian forces to invade the entire Donetsk region.

Currently, Bakhmut is reported to be almost completely encircled by Russian forces. According to the U.S. Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian troops are pressuring the city from three sides?north, east, and south?while continuing airstrikes on the western area, tightening the siege.

President Zelenskyy stated, "Yesterday, I held a meeting with the Chief of Staff and commanders, and everyone agreed that we must hold firm in Bakhmut," emphasizing, "We must consider the lives of our soldiers, but we must do everything possible while our forces prepare for a counterattack." About 95% of Bakhmut's civilians have evacuated.

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk also revealed, "Currently, about 4,000 civilians remain in the city, including 38 children, who have been affected." There are concerns that more civilian casualties will occur as clashes intensify.

Russian forces, aiming to control the entire Donetsk Province to gain an advantageous position in future ceasefire talks, are attacking Bakhmut despite massive sacrifices. According to BBC, Russian forces have suffered approximately 20,000 to 30,000 casualties in Bakhmut alone so far. Ukrainian forces are also estimated to have lost nearly 10,000 soldiers defending Bakhmut.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.