In the eastern city of Bakhmut, Ukraine, the ongoing conflict between Ukrainian forces and the Russian attackers has taken a treacherous turn. For months, Russian forces have relentlessly laid siege to the industrial city in Donetsk province, leading to heavy casualties on both sides. With the United States announcing $400 million in military aid to Ukraine, the battle for Bakhmut is on the brink of a major victory for Russia.

Volodymyr Nazarenko, a deputy commander in the National Guard of Ukraine, spoke to Ukrainian NV Radio about the dire situation for the embattled city, stating “They [the Russians] take no account of their losses in trying to take the city by assault. The task of our forces in Bakhmut is to inflict as many losses on the enemy as possible. Every metre of Ukrainian land costs hundreds of lives to the enemy.”

As Russia continues its assault