Russian forces keep up pressure as Ukraine anniversary nears

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Officials in Ukraine say Russian forces are keeping Ukrainian troops tied down with fighting in the eastern Donbas region. Moscow is thought to be assembling additional combat power there for an expected offensive in the coming weeks. Officials said Monday (Feb. 6, 2023) that weeks of intense fighting continued to rage around the city of Bakhmut and nearby towns of Soledar and Vuhleda. They are located in the Donetsk region which with neighboring Luhansk region makes up the Donbas region. The industrial area borders Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin is hungry for some battlefield success to mark the anniversary of his invasion on Feb. 24.