As can be seen in the satellite photo below, the Russians (in red) have almost completed the painfully slow process of ejecting the Ukrainians from Bakhmut by reducing the city to rubble via artillery bombardment. The Ukrainians are probably down to a few thousand soldiers with the bulk having already retreated out of Bakhmut to the nearby towns of Chasiv Yar and Ivanivske.
But supposedly the final stronghold is structurally reinforced and may even be hiding a tunnel system out of the city. Previously it was believed that this stronghold of tall apartment buildings was being held by some of the most battle-hardened professionals in the Ukraine forces. Whether that is still the case is unknown. But the fighting at this point may even be harder and bloodier than what came before in this already grueling battle.
The Ukrainians are attempting to hold onto the town until after May 9th which is the anniversary (in Russia) of the end of WWII in Europe. They want to deny Russia the propaganda boost that the date represents in the Russian mind. Looks like it could go either way.
After the end of the Bakhmut conflict it is widely believed that the Ukrainian counterattack will commence. Well, that is if the ground dries out sufficiently for heavy vehicles to move easily through the mud. Apparently the rain for the last couple of weeks has rendered the fields impassable. Hell of a war they’ve (or we’ve) got going there.