Russia steps up attack on Bakhmut region as Kyiv warns new offensive is imminent

BAKHMUT, Ukraine – Russia stepped up its strikes on a town near the disputed town of Bakhmut on Saturday as it sought to cut off Ukraine’s supply routes and encircle the town, while Ukrainian officials put warns against another major Russian offensive in the coming weeks.

Inside Bakhmut, gunfire rang out from the east side of the river that runs through the town. Waves of Russian troops were arriving from the east, and two pontoon bridges over the river hit this week were passable only on foot, Ukrainian soldiers said. The Ukrainians said they were fighting for every block, but were outnumbered and outgunned, and the Russians were slowly taking territory in the city.