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Bakhmut: A 'Ghost City' Reveals Devastation of Attrition Warfare

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  Published in Science and Technology on Friday, January 2nd 2026 at 10:45 GMT by BBC

The Ruined Heart of Ukraine: A Look Inside Bakhmut’s Devastation

For over a year, the name Bakhmut has been synonymous with brutal and protracted warfare in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Once a bustling city of around 72,000 people (prior to the invasion), it now stands as a largely deserted shell, a stark testament to the devastating cost of modern attrition warfare. A recent BBC News video report, "Ukraine’s ‘ghost city’ of Bakhmut – what happened?", offers a harrowing visual and narrative account of the city's destruction, its dwindling population, and the strategic significance that has led to its near-total ruin.

The video opens with aerial footage showcasing the sheer scale of the devastation. Buildings are reduced to rubble, streets are cratered by artillery fire, and the landscape is scarred with trenches and fortifications. The imagery paints a picture far removed from any semblance of normalcy; it’s a city actively being erased. As journalist Olga Malicka navigates the ruined streets alongside Ukrainian soldiers, she conveys the palpable sense of despair and exhaustion that permeates the area.

A Battleground for Strategic Gain:

The fight for Bakhmut has been unusually long and bloody. While strategically not as vital as other locations in Ukraine (it doesn't hold significant strategic importance like Kharkiv or Kherson), its capture became a key objective for Russia’s Wagner Group, a private military company led by Yevgeny Prigozhin. The video explains that the Kremlin seemingly decided to prioritize taking Bakhmut despite the high cost, likely aiming to demonstrate some form of battlefield success after months of setbacks following the initial invasion in February 2022. The relentless focus on this one city has resulted in an extraordinary expenditure of manpower and resources on both sides. As highlighted by a report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russia’s commitment to Bakhmut was driven more by political considerations than genuine strategic necessity.

The video explains that the Ukrainian military initially sought to hold Bakhmut as a means of bleeding Russian forces and disrupting their advance. Holding onto the city provided valuable time to prepare defensive positions further west, and potentially inflicted significant casualties on the attacking force. However, this strategy has come at an immense price. The constant bombardment and fighting have rendered much of the city uninhabitable, forcing almost all residents to evacuate.

A City of Ghosts:

Olga Malicka’s report focuses heavily on the human cost of the battle. She speaks with a few remaining civilians who refuse to leave their homes, clinging to memories and a sense of belonging despite the constant danger. These individuals are often elderly or have specific reasons for staying – perhaps they lack the resources to relocate or feel a deep connection to their properties. The video emphasizes the psychological toll on these residents, living under relentless shelling and witnessing the destruction of their community. The term "ghost city" is apt; while some remain, the overwhelming sense is one of abandonment and loss.

The Ukrainian soldiers accompanying Malicka also provide firsthand accounts of the fighting. They describe navigating a labyrinth of trenches and tunnels, facing constant artillery fire and close-quarters combat with Wagner mercenaries. The video showcases the sheer tenacity of both sides, highlighting the brutal nature of urban warfare where every building becomes a potential stronghold and every street a deadly gauntlet. The soldiers express concern about their dwindling ammunition and equipment, hinting at the strain placed on Ukrainian forces by this protracted engagement.

Wagner’s Role and Shifting Dynamics:

The video touches upon the significant role played by Wagner Group mercenaries in the assault on Bakhmut. These fighters, often recruited from prisons and other marginalized communities, have been instrumental in Russia's incremental gains. They are portrayed as being particularly aggressive and willing to sustain high casualties – a consequence of their recruitment practices and perceived lack of value within the Russian military hierarchy. The video implicitly points to the potential instability introduced by Wagner’s reliance on expendable manpower, which has reportedly led to tensions with the regular Russian army.

Recent reports suggest that Russia's offensive capabilities have been weakened since Prigozhin’s death in a plane crash and subsequent disbanding of the Wagner group into the Russian military. While Ukraine continues to hold parts of Bakhmut, the video acknowledges that the city is largely under Russian control, although fighting persists. The strategic situation remains fluid, with both sides attempting to consolidate their positions and prepare for future offensives.

A Symbol of a War’s Brutality:

Bakhmut has become more than just a location; it's a symbol of the war's brutality and the immense human suffering it inflicts. The video leaves viewers with a profound sense of the devastation, not only to the physical infrastructure but also to the lives and communities caught in the crossfire. While the fighting may eventually subside, the scars on Bakhmut – both visible and invisible – will likely remain for generations to come. The report serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine.

Limitations:

It's important to note that this summary is based solely on the BBC News video provided. While the video offers valuable insights, it represents one perspective. A comprehensive understanding would require consulting multiple sources, including reports from other news organizations, think tanks, and Ukrainian and Russian government statements. The video also focuses primarily on the Ukrainian side of the conflict; a balanced view would necessitate incorporating perspectives from Russia as well. Furthermore, visual media can be susceptible to framing and selective editing, so critical analysis is always necessary when interpreting such content.