Ukrainian soldiers at an artillery position near the eastern city of Bakhmut -- which Russia seized in May -- fire a 152 mm howitzer towards Russian positions, as Kyiv attempts to break through the Russian lines in a counteroffensive launched in June. "Whether we succeed [this summer] or not, we are holding the line and will continue holding the line," says solder Volodymyr. Bakhmut, once home to 70,000 people and known for its sparkling wine and salt mine, has been destroyed by the longest and bloodiest battle of the war. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES