"Bakhmut is now operationally surrounded, our forces are closing the ring around the city," said Yan Gagin, an aide to Denis Pushilin — the Russia-backed leader of the illegally annexed Donetsk region, during a television address. Gagin claimed that fighting was now taking place for control of the Chasiv-Yar-Bakhmut highway.
Ukraine updates: Russian forces encircle Bakhmut