Rifts in Russian Forces Exposed as Ukraine Advances Near Bakhmut.

Ukrainian forces are advancing near the city of Bakhmut, exposing confusion and alarm among Russian forces in the war. While Russia's pro-war bloggers claim that Ukraine's long-anticipated counteroffensive has begun, Ukrainian officials downplayed the advances and described them in more local terms. The stakes of Ukraine's offensive extend to the country's efforts to secure more aid, and a military breakthrough could persuade Western officials to send even more materiel, while failure or stalemate could push them to curtail support or encourage negotiations.