Ukraine liberates Bakhmut as Russian troops flee.

Ukrainian forces broke through advancing Russian formations northwest of Bakhmut, the city Moscow’s forces have been trying to capture for nine months. The financier of the Wagner Group of mercenaries who have spearheaded the offensive in the city, Yevgeny Prigozhin, appeared to confirm the Russian retreat. Bakhmut is the bloodiest battle of the war for both sides. Russia’s top generals appeared to waver in their determination to capture the city, worried about defending an 800km (497-mile) front against an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive.