Russo-Ukrainian war, day 585. Ukraine preps major Bakhmut offensive; Fico win clouds military aid
In preparation for a major operation to retake Bakhmut, Ukrainian forces struck Russian positions around the eastern city. The leader of Slovakia's newly elected ruling party Robert Fico campaigned on ending weapons transfers to Ukraine. Bipartisan US senators vowed to sustain essential aid for Kyiv after it was left out of a deal.