Summary: The eighth week of the Ukrainian counteroffensive against Russian defenses is underway, with progress hampered by challenging obstacles like extensive trench systems and minefields. Ukraine strategically uses Western weapons to target Russian rear areas and ammunition dumps, attempting to break through the dense minefields obstructing their advance. The conflict's dynamics may shift as Ukraine's 9th Corps awaits reinforcement from the more seasoned fighters of the 10th Corps. The outcome of the battle for the city of Bakhmut could have broader implications for the conflict's trajectory and resource allocation f...