Ukrainian forces fought to defend Bakhmut as the city’s status remained unclear and Russian forces continued to attack the area.

An adviser to the acting head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, Igor Kimakovsky, told Russian media that fighting in Bakhmut had reached the city center.

In their latest update on February 27, the Ukrainian Armed Forces said the Russian army had increased the number of personnel targeting Bakhmut and shelled settlements in the region.

Footage by RFE/RL shows Ukrainian forces conducting operations in Bakhmut as well as destroyed structures across the city. Credit: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty/Maryan Kushnir via Storyful