In the last week, the Russian military and Wagner’s troops have advanced somewhat to the eastern outskirts of the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region.. It is likely that the Russian infantry fortified in the eastern industrial areas of the city, and in some places advanced into the residential areas of the city, British intelligence says..

Intense fighting has been going on in Bakhmut since June, but front-line fighting has mostly taken place in open areas around the eastern approaches to the city..

After the Russian offensive in Lisichansk and Severodonetsk in July 2022.

in the war there are few protracted large-scale battles in settlements.

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Last Defense Intelligence update on situation in Ukraine - 21 December 2022From UK government's response: https://t. co/7bnD0mKybL? #StandWithUkraine? pic. twitter. com/bVAFgQ4lAE.

— Ministry of Defense? (@DefenceHQ) December 21, 2022.

Analysts say Bakhmut has become the main battlefield in the war, to which Ukraine and Russia are still sending more troops, tanks and artillery..