Ukraine's defiant city struggles to hold out as Russia pushes for a bloody victory

It's unclear just how much strategic value the city holds. But after months of bombardment and fighting, the symbolism would be undeniable. "This little town is neither here nor there," said Jonathan Eyal, international director at the Royal United Services Institute, a defense think tank in London. "The real important thinking is that it shows that the Russians despite having performed very poorly can turn it around and actually push Ukrainians back. So emotionally it is an important point," he added