Currently, the area of Bakhmut has been under immense competition after being reduced to a wasteland by Russian forces. The main reason Russia wants Bakhmut, according to the Ukrainian chairman, is because of their political goals.

Ukraine wants to defend Bakhmut because it gives Ukraine an opportunity to overwhelm the Russian army. According to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, this one battle could change the war’s trajectory.

Data from both sides of the war show that Russia has suffered more losses with over 1,100 soldiers lost, while Ukraine has only lost at least 220 soldiers. However, if Bakhmut is lost, Ukraine will also have lost one of their largest political and symbolic locations.

WJPS senior Giovanni Duran denoted, “I believe that the Russians have a better shot than the Ukrainians, but the Ukrainians have support from other nations around the world.”

WJPS senior, Luca Vivir Amaya, stated, “I believe that Ukraine has a better chance of winning since they have the support of many other nations, plus they have had far fewer casualties than Russia.”

According to the data, Ukraine is most likely to win the Battle of Bakhmut due to fewer casualties and more backup from other countries. If Russia does manage to win, the best solution the U.S. can offer is to send both resources and their own troops to help support Ukraine.

“Attack on Bakhmut, in the Russian advance towards Siversk” by State Emergency Service of Ukraine is licensed under CC BY 4.0.