Bakhmut

Ukrainian convicts Volodymyr Barandich (C) and Arthur Kachurovsky (L) and a guard (R) wait in a courtyard of the Boryspil penal colony outside the town of Boryspil, Kiev region, on July 4, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Artur Kachurovsky is one of thousands of Ukrainian prisoners who have taken up the offer to join the army and fight the Russians in return for a pardon.

The Ukrainian military has reported that its forces have successfully pushed Russian troops out of a strategic area in Chasiv Yar, a city in the eastern front of the conflict, which is considered a key target in Moscow's ongoing advance.

Russia said Wednesday that its forces had retaken Klishchiivka, one of a handful of villages on the eastern front that Ukraine claimed back in a 2023 counteroffensive.

Russia's forces have in recent weeks made their biggest territorial gains in the war-battered east in the last 18 months as Ukraine waits for desperately-needed U.S. and European weapon supplies.

Reports have surfaced indicating that Russian soldiers executed seven Ukrainian prisoners of war near Bakhmut, according to statements from Ukrainian authorities cited by DPA.

In a video address at night, Zelensky said that this was stated in the report of the Ukrainian Military Intelligence Service (GUR).
"The plans of the enemy, the work of the Russian military industry - there are indications that there is a slowdown. We will continue to support their slowdown," Zelensky said.

Day 615 of the invasion of Ukraine. Summary of key events in the last 24 hours:

Day 561 of the invasion of Ukraine. Summary of key events in the last 24 hours:

Day 556 of the invasion of Ukraine. Summary of key events in the last 24 hours:

Day 535 of the invasion of Ukraine. Summary of key events in the last 24 hours:

The BBC has been given exclusive access to a unit of elite snipers called the Ghosts of Bakhmut, who carry out night raids in the vicinity.
The Ghost, the sniper team commander, leads the reporters to what he calls "the edge of existence" - their base on the outskirts of the city.