Russian forces are threatening a key supply route for Ukrainian troops and have “likely” seized the center of Bakhmut after more than six months of brutal fighting over the town, the U.K. defense ministry said Friday.

Russian troops, largely led by Wagner mercenary forces, have been attempting to encircle the town to pinch it from the north and south, and on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he would pull their forces from the area if that threat became too great.

“In recent days, Russian forces have regained some momentum in the battle for Bakhmut. Since late March 2023 their advance had largely stalled,” the ministry said in its daily intelligence assessment. “Russia has made further gains and has now highly likely advanced into the town center, and has seized the west bank of the Bakhmutka River.”

source foxnews.com