Russian Assault on Bakhmut Intensifies

Russia has intensified its assault on the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, with Ukrainian forces facing significant resupply issues and having to make orderly withdrawals. The EU has added Russia's Wagner mercenary group to its sanctions list for actively participating in the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will be meeting his counterparts in Sweden and Germany next week to discuss matters relating to Ukraine. China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang said that Beijing will not provide weapons to Russia as it continues its invasion of Ukraine. An area twice the size of Austria has been mined in Ukraine, posing a danger to the civilian population.