Russia gains ground in battle for Bakhmut, intensifies fighting in Donetsk.

Fighting intensifies in Donetsk as Russia claims gains in Bakhmut, with Kremlin forces holding three of the city's four flanks. Ukraine is preparing new brigades and units to regain the initiative on the front and has asked allies for more military support. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stressed the importance of continued support for the country, while the US will begin training Ukrainian forces on how to use and maintain Abrams tanks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced new sanctions against hundreds of companies that he said "invest in and support Russian aggression".