After a lull during June 2023, over the last seven days Bakhmut has again been the site of some of the most intense fighting along the front.
Ukrainian forces have made steady gains to both the north and south of the Russian-held town. Russian defenders are highly likely struggling with poor morale, a mix of disparate units and a limited ability to find and strike Ukrainian artillery.
The Russian leadership almost certainly see it as politically unacceptable to concede Bakhmut, which has a symbolic weight as one of the few Russian gains in the last 12 months. However, there are highly likely few additional reserves to commit to the sector.
Bakhmut really is shaping up to the Stalingrad of this war.
Except, at least Stalingrad had tangible strategic importance.