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After months of attrition and spiraling casualties, Ukrainian forces ultimately began to withdraw. Bakhmut fell into Russian hands in May 2023, but not without deep, systemic impacts on the Russian military command.
The Aftermath and Implications
The battle adversities exposed fractures within the Russian military's hierarchy, particularly between Prigozhin’s Wagner Group and the regular army over responsibility and supplies. Prigozhin’s public outbursts against military leadership highlighted the chaos within Russian ranks.