WESTERN PERSPECTIVE Ukraine says it has retaken territory near embattled eastern city of Bakhmut Ukrainian military commanders said Friday that their troops had recaptured more territory from Russian forces at the scene of the war’s longest and bloodiest battle, for the eastern city of Bakhmut, but it wasn’t clear if this marked the start of Kyiv’s long-expected counteroffensive. Russia’s Defense Ministry, meanwhile, said Ukrainian forces had stepped up attacks north of the region while denying speculation by Russian military bloggers that the Kyiv forces had achieved “defense breakthroughs.” The 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) of territory that Ukrainian forces south of…

Warring Sudanese factions fight on after failing to agree truce Air strikes and artillery pounded Khartoum on Friday after Sudan's warring army and Rapid Support Forces paramilitary failed to agree to a ceasefire despite committing to protect civilians and allow humanitarian access. A so-called declaration of principles was signed in Saudi Arabia late on Thursday after nearly a week of talks between the two factions, which had shared power before falling out over a transition to civilian rule. RSF adviser Moussa Khadam told Sky News Arabia the group would abide by the principles agreed to and aimed to reach a…

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE In Bakhmut's ruins, Ukraine says intensity of Wagner attacks growing A Ukrainian brigade commander fighting in the ruins of Bakhmut said Russian mercenary forces have stepped up shelling and artillery attacks in recent days and were not facing a munitions shortage, despite its chief's claims to the contrary. Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin has complained for weeks that Russia's army is depriving his Wagner troops of enough ammunition to capture the eastern Ukrainian city, where months of fierce fighting have been dubbed the "meat grinder". Reuters has not been able to independently confirm the situation on the ground…

Sudan's rival forces agree to protect civilians but no ceasefire Sudan's warring factions early on Friday committed to protect civilians and the movement of humanitarian aid, but did not agree to a ceasefire and remain far apart, U.S. officials said. After a week of talks in the Saudi port of Jeddah, Sudan's army and rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) signed a declaration that they would work towards a short-term ceasefire in further discussions, they said. "The two sides are quite far apart," a senior U.S. State Department official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. A text of the declaration…