Escalating Tensions in Bakhmut as Russia Increases Assault on Ukraine

Ukrainian President Zelenskiy had a "long and meaningful" conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who said that "talks and negotiation" were the "only way out" of the war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia has increased its offensive actions on the Bakhmut-Avdiyivka-Maryinka front line, where Ukrainian defenders are facing increasing pressure from Russian shelling, air strikes, mortar fire, and infantry assaults. Russian state news agency RIA Novosti said Moscow began using its new T-14 Armata battle tanks in the war, firing on Ukrainian positions but not yet participating "in direct assault."