According to Britain’s recent intelligence update, Ukraine has been forced to retreat from certain areas in the war-torn city of Bakhmut due to heavy artillery fire from Russia over the past two days. The update highlights that Russia has renewed its attack on Bakhmut and Wagner Group, along with Russia’s defense ministry, have been working together more effectively. Despite facing significant resupply issues, Ukraine’s military has managed to withdraw in an organized manner from the positions they were forced to relinquish. The infamous mercenary group, Wagner, has taken the lead on Russia’s side in the battle, and its leader has voiced discontent over the lack of support his forces are receiving from the regular military. The update emphasizes that Russian artillery fire has been particularly intense over the past 48 hours, and Wagner units are now focusing on advancing in the center of Bakhmut, with Russian paratroopers attacking the city’s flanks. Bakhmut has been the primary target of Russia’s large-scale winter offensive, but Moscow has thus far made little progress in capturing the city. Seizing control of Bakhmut would represent Russia’s first significant victory in the last eight months and would pave the way for capturing more territory in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, which is a critical war objective for Russia. Although Ukraine appeared poised to abandon Bakhmut in late February, it announced in March that it would continue to fight for the city, citing that Russia was taking higher casualties while trying to capture it.