Bakhmut Coal Mines Become Key Logistics Hub for Russian Military Operations

Russian forces occupying Bakhmut in Ukraine’s Donetsk region have converted the city’s mines into logistical hubs, storing military supplies and establishing field hospitals, according to Ukrainian defense officials.

Speaking on a national telethon, Nazar Voloshyn, spokesperson for the Khortytsia Operational-Strategic Group, outlined the current role of Bakhmut in Russian operations.

The city, once a critical industrial and transportation hub, is now a key staging area for the Russian 98th Airborne Division and the 3rd Army Corps.

“Bakhmut has become a logistical hub for the occupying forces. Leveraging the mines for their structural advantages, Russian troops have stored ammunition, equipment, and fuel supplies there,” Voloshyn explained. He further noted that reports indicate field hospitals have also been set up within the mine systems to treat wounded personnel.

Bakhmut, located in the northeastern part of Donetsk region, was a prominent center of Ukraine’s salt industry and a significant railway junction before the full-scale invasion. The city became a focal point of Ukrainian defense efforts in May 2022 and remained heavily contested until 2023, when Russian forces seized control. The prolonged battles have left the city almost entirely destroyed.