Harrowing satellite images showcase Putin’s destruction of Bakhmut as Ukraine battles Wagner and Russian forces for control of the city
The images were gathered by Maxar Technologies, a space technology companyThe remains of apartment buildings, schools and a church can be seen
New satellite images have revealed the devastation of Bakhmut, where Russian and Ukrainian forces continue to battle for control of the city.
The photographs, collected last week, provide a stark illustration of the results of months of fighting and near constant bombardment.
The remains of apartment buildings, schools, the local university and a church can be seen – all now roofless ruins sitting in a muddy wasteland, but once neatly kept and set among attractive greenery.
The images were gathered by Maxar Technologies, a space technology company based in the United States.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, chief of the notorious Wagner mercenary group and an increasing thorn in the side of his Kremlin paymasters, yesterday accused regular Russian army units of fleeing the desolate location, and leaving his men dangerously unprotected.
Bakhmut school and apartment buildings on May 8, 2022. The images were gathered by Maxar Technologies
Demolished Bakhmut school and smoldering apartment buildings on May 15, 2023
He said Russian troops had fallen back 570m north of the eastern Ukrainian city, leaving his own fighters’ flanks exposed, in his latest complaint about his own side’s conduct in the war.
Prigozhin, who has lambasted Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu in foul-mouthed video messages, again asked the ministry to do all it could to protect Bakhmut after what he alleged was a withdrawal.
‘Unfortunately, units of the Russian Defense Ministry have withdrawn up to 570 meters to the north of Bakhmut, exposing our flanks,’ Prigozhin said in a voice message.
In this handout image taken from a video released by Prigozhin Press Service on May 12, 2023, head of Wagner Group Yevgeny Prigozhin makes a video statement from an unknown location
‘I am appealing to the top leadership of the Ministry of Defense – publicly – because my letters are not being read.
‘Please do not give up the flanks,’ he said, addressing Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff.
Wagner still claims it has taken most of the shattered city – albeit at enormous human cost. But Ukraine says its forces have retaken territory around Bakhmut in recent days.
Moscow sees Bakhmut, a city of about 70,000 before the war, as a potential stepping stone toward capturing the rest of the eastern industrial Donbas region bordering Russia.
School no 12 and apartments in Bakhmut, Ukraine on May 8, 2022
School no 12 and apartments in Bakhmut, Ukraine on May 15, 2023
Overview of Bakhmut on May 8, 2022
Overview of Bakhmut on May 15, 2023
Homes and buildings in Bakhmut on May 8, 2022
Burning homes and destroyed buildings in Bakhmut on May 15, 2023
Bakhmut theater and stores on May 8, 2022
Destroyed Bakhmut theater and stores on May 15, 2023
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