Russia is likely to claim a big victory in Bakhmut as 1-year anniversary of its invasion approaches, regardless of the reality on the ground, UK intel says

• Russia is under increasing political pressure to capture Bakhmut by February 24, UK intel said.
• It's "likely" that Russia will claim victory there regardless of the reality on the ground, it said.
• Analysts say that Russia will struggle to seize Bakhmut by the first anniversary of the Ukraine war.

As the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine approaches, Russia is increasingly under pressure to claim a big victory, notably the capture of the important city of Bakhmut, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.