Title: The Battle for Bakhmut: A Chronicle of the War's Longest Running Fight Bakhmut has been at the center of the fighting in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine for months, and the battle for this city has been the longest sustained fight of the war. The pro-Russian separatists took over the city in early 2022, and Ukrainian forces have been fighting to regain control of the city ever since. Here's a look at the key events in this ongoing battle: February 2022: The separatists take over Bakhmut, raising the flag of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR). Ukrainian forces launch a counterattack, but are unable to dislodge the separatists from the city. April 2022: The Ukrainian military launches a major offensive to retake Bakhmut. The battle rages for several weeks, with both sides sustaining heavy losses. The separatists manage to hold onto the city, but the Ukrainian forces manage to push them back to the outskirts. May-August 2022: The battle for Bakhmut turns into a stalemate, with both sides digging in and launching occasional attacks. The fighting intensifies in August, with the separatists launching a major offensive that nearly breaks through the Ukrainian lines. The Ukrainian military manages to hold the line, but at a heavy cost. October-November 2022: The Ukrainian forces launch a new offensive, this time with the support of Western allies. The battle for Bakhmut becomes the focus of the wider conflict, with both sides pouring resources into the fight. The Ukrainian forces manage to push the separatists out of the city, but suffer heavy losses in the process. December 2022-January 2023: The separatists launch a series of counterattacks, but are unable to regain control of the city. The fighting continues to rage on, with both sides sustaining heavy losses. As of May 2023, the battle for Bakhmut is still ongoing, with both sides unable to gain a decisive advantage. The conflict in eastern Ukraine shows no signs of ending anytime soon, and the people of Bakhmut continue to suffer the consequences of this long-running battle. In conclusion, the battle for Bakhmut is a testament to the tenacity and bravery of the Ukrainian military and the people of Ukraine. It is also a stark reminder of the human toll of war and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Summary: Bakhmut, in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region, has been at the center of fighting for months. Here are the notable events in the war's longest sustained battle. (30 words)
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