Kyiv sources claim more than 100,000 soldiers have been killed battling for the eastern city and that Ukraine's soldiers will encircle them in the coming weeks.
One Ukrainian MP said: "They will be caught in a mousetrap."
Deputy defence minister Hanna Maliar said Ukrainian troops hold some of Bakhmut's outskirts while fighting continues for the north and south.
She said: "Huge losses have been inflicted on the enemy. We have gained time for certain actions, which will be revealed later.
This story is from the May 23, 2023 edition of Daily Mirror UK.
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This story is from the May 23, 2023 edition of Daily Mirror UK.
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