With Russian forces occupying the centre and everything east of the city, the Bakhmut road of life is the only way Kyiv s frontline troops can replace dwindling supplies and evacuate wounded
In anticipation of a major counteroffensive, thousands have volunteered to join Ukraine's Interior Ministry assault brigades. Backed by market research and an ad campaign, the units are part of an effort to rebuild the army while intense fighting continues unabated at the front.
RICHARD PENDLEBURY: We lurch to a halt on the rain-lashed hillside, where two mud tracks merge into a quagmire. An unwelcome message has just been received by our special forces escort.