in Bakhmout, soldiers out of breath

There is now only one road that allows access to Bakhmout, in the east of Ukraine. The Russian forces are trying to cut off this last land route where ambulances pass in particular. The Ukrainian soldiers on the spot are pessimistic: “It’s a very difficult situation for us, the Russians are encircling Bakhmout”, one of them whispers. To rest, the soldiers take shelter in underground passages. Their faces are marked with exhaustion and anxiety. Some are sleeping, others are preparing to go out.

The Russian presence is constant

The Moscow army continues to put pressure on Ukrainian soldiers, north, south and east of the city. “The Russians are so numerous, it looks like ants advancing, pushing us”, describes a sheltered soldier. Every day, the medical team evacuates wounded and dead. Will the Ukrainians abandon the city and retreat to preserve their forces? For the moment, this is not on the agenda.