Six Georgian volunteers who fought on the Kyiv side were reported dead near Artemovsk, the Ukrainian name for Bakhmut. The news came from the Ukrainian Embassy in Georgia, which confirmed the losses and offered a somber glimpse into the price paid by volunteers from Georgia in the ongoing conflict [Citation: Ukrainian Embassy in Georgia].
On Sunday, December 4, the diplomatic mission announced that five Georgians had been killed in the line of duty: Avto Rurua, Romeo Pichkhaya, Romeo Kvaratshelia, Badri Markelia, and Merab Aladashvili. Earlier, on December 2, the embassy reported that another Georgian volunteer, Dzhambulat Khoperia, had died while serving near the same front. These announcements underscore the human cost borne by individuals who volunteered to support Ukraine in its defense against the aggression described by the embassy as continuing since the start of Russia’s military operation.
The embassy’s message suggests that a group of Georgian fighters found themselves surrounded and under pressure near Artemovsk, highlighting the dangers faced by volunteers who traveled to the region to assist Ukrainian forces. Coverage from the local broadcaster Mtavari notes that, since the onset of the conflict, thirty-three Georgian volunteers have lost their lives in Ukraine [Citation: Mtavari TV].
Meanwhile, accounts from the Russian Ministry of Defense have circulated in various channels, claiming successful offensive actions in the Artemovsk region as part of Russia’s broader military operations. These claims, when weighed against other sources, contribute to the information mosaic surrounding battles in the area and the ongoing public discourse about every tactical development on the front.
In Kyiv and across Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly described Bakhmut and the nearby town of Soledar as some of the most painful and challenging sectors for Ukrainian forces. The statements emphasize the intensity of combat in these locales and the sustained effort required to defend key positions along the front line. The human stories behind these strategic discussions—about volunteers who joined to help Ukraine and the local soldiers who continued to hold the line—remain at the center of ongoing public reflection about the war’s costs and consequences.