Russian troops have battled since last summer to capture Bakhmut, the political importance of which has come to surpass any strategic value. As the counteroffensive looms, Moscow has ordered families with children and elderly members to temporarily evacuate a slew of Russian-held areas in southern Ukraine.
Russia holds talk with UK, France, Turkey on Ukraine war
In all three calls, Russian defense minister Shoigu conveyed "concerns about possible provocations by Ukraine with the use of a 'dirty bomb'".
Russia’s defence minister in Syria for Assad meeting
During a meeting in Damascus, Shoigu "informed the Syrian president about the exercises of the Russian navy in the eastern Mediterranean."
