Through broken windows, through rooms full of rubble, Ukrainian soldiers look at the neighboring field, filled with countless blackened craters from artillery impacts. “They can see us here,” said a Ukrainian soldier, pointing into the distance. This is a new type of frontline fighter. Moscow’s manpower has dwindled after 80,000 casualties, according to US officials, prompting Moscow to turn to the country’s vast private mercenary sector, the Wagner Group. The Wagner group is reportedly run by the man known as “Putin’s chef”, Yevgeny Prigozhin. A man who matched Prigozhin’s appearance recently appeared on video in a Russian prison yard, extolling the virtues of his fellow prisoners to join Team Wagner and fight on the front lines. Here in Bakhmut is where this system is put into ruthless action. That city has been the focus of Russian forces in recent weeks, even as they abandon positions around Kharkiv and appear to be struggling to hold ground elsewhere. Wagner mercenaries have been deployed in this fight, according to several reports from Russian media, and have won around the eastern edges of the city. The mercenary attacks are often devastatingly fierce: Ukrainians tell CNN that Wagner fighters rush at them with small arms attacks, prompting the Ukrainians to fire back to protect their positions. The gunfire then retreats to where the Ukrainians are, allowing the Russian artillery to aim more accurately. Attacks are regular and shelling is almost continuous. “We see an enemy mortar unit. They are preparing to fire on us,” said a drone operator looking at his screen. During CNN’s interview with that unit on Tuesday, shells landed intermittently at close range, at one point shaking the walls of the underground shelter. Here, a Ukrainian officer, known by the nickname “Price,” tells CNN about the latest Russian captured. “We argue a little bit with these musicians,” he said, referring to the Wagner group, named after the composer. “There was a Wagner guy we caught. He was a convict, from Russia — I don’t remember exactly where. It was a shootout or a handover for him. They act professionally, not like the usual infantry units,” he said. “The real problem is the artillery, it’s really accurate,” he added. As he spoke, another shell hit near the shelter. The city center of Bahamut is now riddled with large craters from Russian bombing, with main streets torn up and stadium seats torn in two. Analysts believe the city could provide Moscow with a strategic position in the Donbass from which to push further north towards Sloviansk and Kramatorsk — and deliver a much-needed strategic victory at a time of mounting casualties. In a series of trenches on another front line, buried in the woods, Martin, another Ukrainian officer, agreed. “[The Russians] they’ve fallen behind elsewhere and need a win, something important, so they’re throwing forces here,” he said. “Of course we have casualties, not today in our unit. But you can’t avoid dead or injured, sometimes seriously injured.” These losses were intensely personal. “I lost my best friend five days after we got here. His nickname was Dancer,” she said. As with so many nicknames or nicknames, Martin has no idea why his friend got this one. Around the city, local life is characterized by huge explosions from the bombing. A local, Andrei, has plaintive and dark eyes that speak of the explosions, the lack of electricity, water and calm. However, he said of his street: “It’s not too bad, only every second house is dilapidated.” Helping many to live a life is Natalia, who sells potatoes — half a ton of them this morning alone. “Who knows where the shelling is coming or going,” she said, as another loud explosion made her laugh nervously. “Don’t be afraid,” he added. On Wednesday, Bakhmut’s streets appeared emptier and shelling appeared to be intensifying on the eastern edge of the city, with Ukrainian weapons targeting Russian positions, it appeared. An apartment building, already hit once, was still smoking after another rocket tore through all four floors. Soldiers milled anxiously in the street outside, surveying the damage. Military vehicles were whirring through the streets. Later, walking home with food on a trolley with loud and creaking wheels, was pensioner Maria, her eyes covered by large sunglasses. “With God you have no fear. And on your earth you cannot feel fear,” said Mary. More explosion noises erupted through the mad screeching of her rusty wheels.
