Ukraine: Russian forces attempting to encircle Bakhmut, reports say
Russian forces are reportedly attempting to encircle Bakhmut in a bid to cut supply lines to the city and force the Ukrainian military to withdraw.
Becoming a frontline city in May 2022, Bakhmut has been the site of intense fighting and heavy bombardment.
Capturing Bakhmut would give Russia its first major gain in six months and solidify its stronghold on the Donetsk region.
After trying to occupy the industrial city of Bakhmut for more than six months, Russian forces have intensified the fighting.
According to Reuters, the fighting is taking place in muddy conditions known as 'rasputitsa' – or the spring thaw – which sees trenches turn into muddy rivers.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that the situation around Bakhmut is becoming increasingly difficult.
"The enemy is constantly destroying everything that can be used to protect our positions," he said in a night-time address.
President Zelensky also called on the West to send modern combat fighter jets.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had previously said that Britain is ready to help any country that is willing to send fighter jets to Ukraine.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Mr Sunak said: "We will happily provide a system to any country that is able to provide Ukraine with fighter jets right now."
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace echoed the sentiment, saying that Britain could backfill allies with UK jets to free up their own Soviet-era planes to send to Ukraine.
Mr Wallace said that this would be a quicker way to bolster Kyiv's defences than providing them with British Typhoons.
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