Residents of Bakhmut Brace for Major Offensive from Russian Forces as ‘Bakhmut Holds’ Becomes Battle-Cry of National Resistance

Residents of the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut are bracing for a major offensive from Russian forces, as gunfire and shelling can be heard in the streets. The city has been under siege for months, with locals refusing to leave their homes despite the danger.

The private military contractor Wagner, which has been recruiting fighters from Russian prisons for the past nine months, will have to look elsewhere for new fighters. The battle-cry of “Bakhmut holds” has spread across the country, making the city a symbol of national resistance.

The long-awaited spring offensive from Russia’s military is expected in the coming weeks, and Yevgeny Prigozhin, the boss of Wagner, announced on Thursday that the company has discontinued the recruitment of prisoners. He did not give any reason for the decision, but it is possible that it no longer fits Russian priorities on the battlefield.

The situation in Bakhmut is dire, with residents facing a major offensive from Russian forces. The city has become a symbol of national resistance, and the people are determined to fight for their homes. It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming weeks, but the people of Bakhmut are determined to stand their ground.