Ukrainian forces are pulling back from parts of the flashpoint city of Bakhmut amid indications that Kyiv’s planned spring offensive may fail to materialize–at least in the short term.
Located in the eastern Donetsk region, Bakhmut (Artyomovsk in Russian) has remained the scene of fierce ground fighting for the past several months. 
According to an April 14 briefing from the British Defense Ministry, Russian forces in recent days have “reenergized” their assault on the city.
“The Ukrainian defense still holds the western districts of the town but has been subjected to particularly intense Russian artillery fire over the previous 48 hours,” the ministry said….