Russia Claims Bakhmut, Ukrainian Military Denies Victory

Russia claims to have won control of Ukraine's eastern city of Bakhmut, but Ukrainian military leaders say the battle is not over. Ukrainian officials acknowledge they control only a small part of Bakhmut, and fighting continues for the strategic heights in the northern and southern parts of the suburbs. Victory in Bakhmut does not necessarily bring Russia any closer to capturing the Donetsk region. Ukrainian forces are making significant advances near strategic roads through surrounding countryside, chipping away at Russia's northern and southern flanks with the aim of encircling Wagner fighters inside the city.