Ukraine Loses an Eastern Stronghold as Russia Grinds Forward.

Ukraine has withdrawn its troops from the eastern coal-mining town of Vuhledar due to mounting Russian assaults. The town, which was once a defense bastion for Ukraine, has been surrounded by Russia and bombarded with glide bombs. While the loss of Vuhledar is unlikely to facilitate a broader Russian advance, it highlights the increasing pressure on Ukraine's main eastern front. Ukrainian forces are outnumbered and outgunned, with limited support from the West and difficulties in recruiting and training more troops. President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent visit to the US did not result in increased support, and the Biden administration has declined Ukraine's request to strike Russia with long-range missiles. [Extracted from the article]