The Wagner Group's claim to have captured Bakhmut represents the rarest of things – a tangible battlefield gain for Russia after months of stasis and setbacks.
The city provides important road connections to other parts of the Donetsk region: eastward to the border with Luhansk, northwest to Sloviansk and southwest to Kostiantynivka.
But any celebrations are likely to be tempered by the manpower and resources Russia poured into capturing Bakhmut, and Ukraine's reports of continued fighting in areas immediately surrounding the city.
Taking a small city whose population has largely fled is also a long way from Russia’s original goals of capturing Kyiv and toppling the Ukrainian government.
Kyiv, too, is likely to face questions over its approach in Bakhmut. A Ukrainian defense official claimed Saturday that its forces are still clinging to a portion of the city, though she admitted the situation is "critical."
Just this week, Ukraine's military had claimed fresh advances in the area, suggesting continuing efforts in the city.
Speaking to CNN in March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed reports of divisions among his commanders about the merits of fighting on in Bakhmut.
One of his advisers said Ukraine’s forces aimed at buying time to replenish their forces and inflicting losses on Russia.
In the interview, Zelensky warned that Russian troops would have an “open road” to capture key cities if Ukraine gave up Bakhmut, defending his decision to keep fighters there.
Now, with a Ukrainian counteroffensive due, the question remains: Which side comes out stronger if the battle for Bakhmut has truly come to an end?
