Ukraine reclaims territory near Bakhmut from Russia, Kyiv confirms

Ukrainian forces have recaptured the heights over Bakhmut and are encircling Russian troops in the city, while also making progress in outflanking enemy forces. The Ukrainian authorities have ordered the mandatory evacuation of thousands of civilians from the Kharkiv region due to the increasing shelling by Russian forces. Russia's defense ministry claims its soldiers have "improved their position" in the area. The Ukrainian defense minister accuses Russia of launching offensives in other areas to divert Ukrainian forces from Bakhmut. In a separate incident, three people were killed and nine others wounded in a missile attack on a church in Zaporizhzhia.