Nestled in eastern Ukraine, Bakhmut embodies a history of both resilience and horror, one that beckons us to confront the darkness of its past. Gaining international recognition after the recent intense battle for control of the city, its lesser-known history of genocide holds deeper significance.
In 1942, this city became a stark canvas for one of humanity's gravest sins – the massacre of 3,000 civilians, mainly Jews, orchestrated by the Nazi regime during the atrocities of World War II.
Fast forward to 2022, Bakhmut finds itself once again thrust into the center of tragedy, now grappling with the full-scale invasion by the Russian military. As the dust settles on the destruction wrought by Russian forces on Bakhmut, we are confronted with an eerie symmetry, finding parallels between the crimes of eight decades ago and today’s harsh reality.