Russia says taking control of Ukraine's Bakhmut will allow it to develop offensive

Russia said Tuesday that taking control of the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine will allow the Russian army to develop an offensive.

"The liberation of Artyomovsk (Bakhmut) continues. This city is an important hub for the defense of Ukrainian troops in Donbas. Taking it under control will allow further offensive actions to be carried out deep into the defense of the Ukrainian Armed Forces," Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu said at a meeting with military chiefs in Moscow.