Moscow's new push prompts Ukrainian retreat in Bakhmut.

Ukrainian troops have been forced to withdraw from some parts of Bakhmut due to a renewed Russian assault on the city, which Moscow has been trying to capture for nine months. Western countries have pointed to acrimony between the Russian defence ministry and the country's main mercenary force Wagner as a major Russian weakness. Capturing the city would be Russia's first substantial victory in eight months and would open a route to capturing more territory in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region. Ukraine is preparing for a counteroffensive and waiting for the arrival of new Western arms.