Finland's NATO Membership Strengthens Ukraine's Fight in Bakhmut

Fighting continues in Bakhmut as Ukraine denies Russian claims of capturing the administrative center of the city. Finland is set to join NATO, prompting Russia to strengthen its military capacity in its western and northwestern regions. The battle for Bakhmut has been one of the bloodiest of the conflict, with heavy casualties on both sides and the city largely destroyed. The West calls the war an unprovoked assault to subdue an independent country and has provided Kyiv with weapons while seeking to punish Russia with sanctions.