A Ukrainian city is on the brink.

Russian troops now encircle Bakmut with heavy losses on both sides.

Can the Ukrainians hang on to the strategic town?

I'm Steve Innskiy with A Martins and this is up first from NPR News.

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Ukrainian soldiers are hang on to an eastern city that Russian forces have been trying to occupy for months.

Bakmut is not a big city, around 75,000 people before the war drove many inhabitants away.

Look at a map and you see why it has become a big focus.

It's in eastern Ukraine in a region that Russia has been trying to dominate.

Ukraine's armed forces are staying as long as they can.

Joining us now from the north eastern city of Harkev is NPR's Ukraine correspondent, Joanna Kokissis.

Joanna, the focus on Bakmut, why is it so important?

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