The head of the Russian mercenary group Wagner claims to have completely captured the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. Ukrainian troops had recently recorded territorial gains in the region.
If the city falls, the road to the major cities of Slovyansk and Kramatorsk would be clear for Russian troops. The city is the main part of the defensive line established after the Russian capture of Severodonetsk and Lysychansk between the cities of Siversk and BakhMut in the Donetsk region.