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The '''Battle of Bakhmut''' also known in [[Russian]] as the '''Battle of Artemovsk''' was one of two principal engagements arising in the first year of the Russian [[Special Military Operation]] on the territory of [[Ukraine]] in 2022.  The other major engagement being the [[Battle of Mariupol]] in the spring of 2022.

The '''Battle of Bakhmut''' also known in [[Russian]] as the '''Battle of Artemovsk''' was one of two principal engagements arising in the first year of the Russian [[Special Military Operation]] on the territory of [[Ukraine]] in 2022.  The other major engagement being the [[Battle of Mariupol]] in the spring of 2022.

The small town of Bakhmut (pop. 70,000) was fortified by the [[Zelensky regime]] at [[NATO]]'s direction.  NATO tactics were developed for insurgent warfare in the [[Middle East]] and [[Afghanistan]], but proved catastrophic in large-scale industrial warfare. NATO/Ukraine kept feeding more and more forces into the open cauldron of the Bakhmut meat grinder.  And not just the Ukrainian [[Territorial Defense]], who were ill-trained and ill-equipped for combat, but also NATO military contractors.  

The small town of Bakhmut (pop. 70,000) was fortified by the [[Zelensky regime]] at [[NATO]]'s direction.  NATO tactics were developed for insurgent warfare in the [[Middle East]] and [[Afghanistan]], but proved catastrophic in large-scale industrial warfare.<ref>https://www.bitchute.com/video/M0tc1muwWv46/</ref>  NATO/Ukraine kept feeding more and more forces into the open cauldron of the Bakhmut meat grinder.  And not just the Ukrainian [[Territorial Defense]], who were ill-trained and ill-equipped for combat, but also NATO military contractors.  

''[[Newsweek]]'' magazine was the first major Western [[propaganda]] organ to reveal that the much vaunted [[HIMAR]] systems, M777 Howitzers, and other sophisticated weaponry were operated, not by Ukrainian forces, but rather by [[Western alliance]] contractors.<ref>https://www.newsweek.com/lessons-us-civil-war-show-why-ukraine-cant-win-opinion-1764992</ref> NATO troops resigned their commissions with the NATO Army they had been serving in, typically the [[United States]], [[Poland]], [[Romania]], the [[UK]], [[Canada]] and others, immediately signed a contract with a private military company paid by NATO, the Zelensky regime, and the [[U.S. Congress]], and then donned Ukrainian uniforms.

''[[Newsweek]]'' magazine was the first major Western [[propaganda]] organ to reveal that the much vaunted [[HIMAR]] systems, M777 Howitzers, and other sophisticated weaponry were operated, not by Ukrainian forces, but rather by [[Western alliance]] contractors.<ref>https://www.newsweek.com/lessons-us-civil-war-show-why-ukraine-cant-win-opinion-1764992</ref> NATO troops resigned their commissions with the NATO Army they had been serving in, typically the [[United States]], [[Poland]], [[Romania]], the [[UK]], [[Canada]] and others, immediately signed a contract with a private military company paid by NATO, the Zelensky regime, and the [[U.S. Congress]], and then donned Ukrainian uniforms.

In late November 2022 Russian troops went back on the offensive in several directions.  The offensive of the Wagner Group continued in Bakhmut and on its outskirts, where the Ukrainian group risked being surrounded.  A section of the railway line was cut.  

In late November 2022 Russian troops went back on the offensive in several directions.  The offensive of the Wagner Group continued in Bakhmut and on its outskirts, where the Ukrainian group risked being surrounded.  A section of the railway line was cut.  

[[File:Bakhmut bridge.PNG|right|300px|thumb|Brisge destroyed by Ukraine to prevent Ukrainian troops from retreating.<ref>https://gpovanman.wordpress.com/2022/12/11/the-heat-of-the-artemovsk-cauldron/</ref>]]

[[File:Bakhmut bridge.PNG|right|300px|thumb|Brisge destroyed by Ukraine to prevent Ukrainian troops from retreating.<ref>https://gpovanman.wordpress.com/2022/12/11/the-heat-of-the-artemovsk-cauldron/</ref>]]

To stay warm, tank crews leave their engines on at all times, making detection and subsequent destruction of both armor and ground troops by Russian forces all the easier.  Many Ukrainian troops reported they had not seen their commanders in three weeks and were running out of food.<ref>https://www.bitchute.com/video/aUHstFGzEgnH/</ref>  Ukrainian soldiers would try to keep warm in their bunkers and trenches.  When they lit a fire to cook or keep warm, the smoke was spotted by drones directing artillery fire and the NATO/Ukraine forces were immediately killed.  The soldiers suffered from maladies long thought to have ended with [[World War I]], like trench foot.  While in a defensive posture for a prolonged period of time and unable to leave the trench because of constant artillery shelling, the soldiers typically dispose of human waste on the trench floor. The trenches fill up with water from rain and snow, which gets into the soldiers' feet. The soldiers' feet literally rot in the trenches.  Below freezing temperatures causes frostbite in the extremities, then infection and the loss of limbs.

To stay warm, tank crews leave their engines on at all times, making detection and subsequent destruction of both armor and ground troops by Russian forces all the easier.  Many Ukrainian troops reported they had not seen their commanders in three weeks and were running out of food.<ref>https://www.bitchute.com/video/aUHstFGzEgnH/</ref>  Ukrainian soldiers would try to keep warm in their bunkers and trenches.  When they lit a fire to cook or keep warm, the smoke was spotted by drones directing artillery fire and the NATO/Ukraine forces were immediately killed.  The soldiers suffered from maladies long thought to have ended with [[World War I]], like trench foot.<ref>https://www.bitchute.com/video/XDZkbXdT1uwN/</ref> While in a defensive posture for a prolonged period of time and unable to leave the trench because of constant artillery shelling, the soldiers typically dispose of human waste on the trench floor.<ref>https://www.bitchute.com/video/SbWS7gEKcUHe/</ref> The trenches fill up with water from rain and snow, which gets into the soldiers' feet.<ref>https://www.bitchute.com/video/E2UEFWVbklUy/</ref> The soldiers' feet literally rot in the trenches.  Below freezing temperatures causes frostbite in the extremities, then infection and the loss of limbs.

Ukrainian units again attempted a counteroffensive in the area of Opytnoe on the southern outskirts of Bakhmut. The Wagner fighters repelled the attack, forcing the enemy to retreat with losses.  Ukrainian forces in Bakhmut, which are a mixture of various units, including groups of NATO mercenaries, suffered heavy losses. According to Ukrainian and Western sources, the Ukrainian Army was losing hundreds of fighters killed and wounded daily. Troops from other units were sent to plug the holes in the defense lines.

Ukrainian units again attempted a counteroffensive in the area of Opytnoe on the southern outskirts of Bakhmut. The Wagner fighters repelled the attack, forcing the enemy to retreat with losses.  Ukrainian forces in Bakhmut, which are a mixture of various units, including groups of NATO mercenaries, suffered heavy losses. According to Ukrainian and Western sources, the Ukrainian Army was losing hundreds of fighters killed and wounded daily. Troops from other units were sent to plug the holes in the defense lines.