Russia Seeks Gains in Ukraine Before Western Tanks Turn Up

BAKHMUT, Ukraine—Russian forces have advanced deeper into Bakhmut in recent days, according to Ukrainian soldiers there, moving house by house and threatening Ukraine’s hold on the eastern city, which Russia has made its main immediate target.

The Russian advance has been incremental and comes with heavy losses, Ukrainian commanders say. Ukrainian military and civilian leaders have said they would stand and fight for the city, and seek to whittle down Russian forces engaged in costly assaults.