Russia Denies Ukrainian Breakthroughs in Ongoing Conflict

Russia denies any Ukrainian breakthrough after Kyiv's forces drove back Moscow's troops in some areas around Bakhmut this week, claiming its first significant gains in months. The advance raised new doubts about the Kremlin's hopes of seizing a symbolic victory in the city and fueled broader fears among Russian observers about the military's positions across the front lines of the war. The Russian Defense Ministry said in a late-night comment that statements "circulated by individual Telegram channels about 'defense breakthroughs' that took place in various parts of the front line do not correspond to reality."