It is “highly likely” Vladimir Putin has axed one of his top generals following Russia’s stalled invasion of Ukraine, British defence chiefs said on Thursday.
By Kai Pfaffenbach and Kwang JirapornKuhakan NEAR BAKHMUT, Ukraine (Reuters) -Ukrainian and Russian forces battled on Thursday in the streets of Bakhmut, eastern Ukraine s devastated fortress city, and Ukrainian soldiers said they were ready to launch their long-anticipated counter-offensive once the weather improves. On the diplomatic front, French President Emmanuel Macron urged Chinese leader Xi Jinping during talks in Beijing to use his influence to persuade Russia to halt the war and come to the negotiating table. Xi said he hoped such talks could start soon. A French diplomatic source later said China was ready to work with France to push hard for negotiations. However, an adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin rated the chances of peace talks starting this year at zero . The months-long battle for Bakhmut, one of the last urban centres in Ukraine s eastern Donetsk province yet to fall to Moscow, has proven one of the bloodiest of Russia s invasion, now in its 14th month. Th
The battle took place south of the town of Ivanivske that lies to the west of besieged city Bakhmut - which has been the focus of the war s bloodiest since Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine last year.