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FOCUS: Russia-Ukraine War

Blood Of Bakhmut: Why Both Sides Are Ready To Die For A Deserted City In Donbas

Fighting has been fierce for the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine. What is the price of a victory that is, above all, symbolic?

Photo of Ukrainian soldiers prepare a tank for combat in the fronlines of Bakhmut

Ukrainian soldiers prepare a tank for combat in the fronlines of Bakhmut

Pierre Haski

-Analysis-

PARIS — The name of Bakhmut will go down in history as one the fiercest, most contested battles in the Ukraine war. Fighting has been raging for weeks, in this city of the Donetsk region, in eastern Ukraine's Donbas. The toll of victims is rising considerably.

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What’s at stake today is less strategic than symbolic — which is not a trifling thing in this type of conflict. There is something about Bakhmut that’s reminiscent of World War I, where men die to conquer a house or a neighborhood only to lose it again the next day. The weapons, of course, differ: 21st-century drones, geo-location, missiles.


Ukraine had so far been reluctant to take the risk of losing too many men to defend positions that were not deemed essential. That strategy has changed with Bakhmut, which became a symbol of the Ukrainian army's ability to hold out, and therefore to one day emerge victorious against Russia. A defeat at Bakhmut would reflect negatively, just as Ukraine receives promises of new arms shipments from the West.

The Wagner Group threat 

Facing the Ukrainian army are the men from the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin’s "private" army — and a real game-changer.

Prigozhin — a.k.a. "Putin's chef", a moniker that dates back to their shared past in St. Petersburg — created the Wagner group, best known for its mercenary operations in Africa, notably in Mali where it supplanted French forces. The paramilitary group is now fully engaged in the Ukraine war, with thousands of men directly recruited from Russian prisons — under the promise of a clean slate after six months on the front, that is, if they are still alive.

Prigozhin has made it a personal matter. In recent days, he has staged himself in videos shot not far from Bakhmut, encouraging his men. His own, indirect way of criticizing the Russian army for its inefficiency. But to really show his strength, Prigozhin must win Bakhmut — a victory that would in turn cast a shadow on the regular Russian army.

The war, then, spills beyond the Ukrainian battlefield, highlighting the games of power and influence in Moscow.

A Ukrainian drone operator watches as artillery strikes Russian positions

Madeleine Kelly/SOPA/Zuma

A symbol of determination

Over the last couple of days, Wagner troops tried to advance on Soledar, near Bakhmut. Fighting was fierce and, according to Kyiv, the Russians had to give up after sustaining heavy losses.

All this only reinforces the feeling that there is no end in sight for this war.

The Ukrainians do not communicate on their own losses — but they are significant too, and have led Kyiv to send reinforcements back to Bakhmut to help resist the Russian assaults.

The battle for Bakhmut, a city deserted by 90% of its inhabitants, has become all the more symbolic as the front is more or less stabilized elsewhere — with the exception of Russian bombardments of Ukrainian cities.

All this only reinforces the feeling that there is no end in sight for this war. "Dying for Bakhmut" has today become the symbol of each side’s determination to not cede a single inch on its objectives.

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FOCUS: Russia-Ukraine War

With His Trip To Moscow, Xi Has Sent A Clear Message To The World

China has adopted a stance of pro-Putin neutrality since the start of Russia's invasion. But this is not an alliance of equals. China has the upper-hand and sees the opportunity to present itself as an alternative world leader.

Photo of ​Russia's President Vladimir Putin and China's President Xi Jinping in Moscow during the Chinese leader's state visit to Russia.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin and China's President Xi Jinping in Moscow during the Chinese leader's state visit to Russia.

Pierre Haski

-Analysis-

PARIS — While Russia is mired in Ukraine, and Vladimir Putin has become the target of an international arrest warrant, China appeared as a lifeline.

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Xi Jinping’s presence in Moscow from Monday to Wednesday was a bit like the "quiet force" visiting a friend in trouble. They offer him "face," as the Chinese expression for showing respect goes, referring to him as "dear friend"...

But reality sets in very quickly: between the couple, Beijing has the upper hand — and Moscow has no choice.

Since the invasion of Ukraine, China has observed what one diplomat astutely calls a "pro-Putin neutrality", a subtle balance that suits Beijing more than Moscow. Putin could have hoped for more active support, especially in the delivery of arms, technological products, or ways to circumvent Western sanctions. But China is helping Russia sparingly, while making sure to not incur sanctions in turn.

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