 Bloody street fighting rages in Bakhmut. Bakhmut is still the site of one of the longest and bloodiest battles in Russia's war in Ukraine. Ukraine's military is determined to defend the devastated city, even though allies question the cost. About it writes the New York Times outlet. After 10 months of fighting, Ukraine has lost ground inside the city. Its soldiers have been pushed into a shrinking half-circle of ruins that is only about 20 blocks wide. It continually deploys small units in close-range urban combat, sustaining significant casualties. Ukrainian soldiers said they were often close enough to hear Russians talking in nearby buildings. One commander, who was interviewed in a basement bunker, said his soldiers were engaging in about 15 firefights at close range every day. He said his units were short on artillery shells, tank rounds and rocket-propelled grenades. We pay with our lives for the lack of ammunition. Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers are also defending an access road that is still passable. The route allows Ukraine to resupply and to evacuate the wounded from Bakhmut. Both Russia and Ukraine claim that the battle for Bakhmut, which has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties, has been vital in weakening the other side. Ukraine is trying to erode Russia's strength before an anticipated counter-offensive.