The battle for Bakhmut was gritty.

Ahead of an expected counteroffensive by Ukrainian forces, Russia made one final push in recent weeks to seize the eastern Ukrainian city, which has gained huge symbolic importance for both sides.

Bakhmut has now fallen under Russian control, thanks in part to Yevgeny Prigozhin's mercenary Wagner Group piling convicts into the fray.

Here are some of the most powerful images from the front line.