The Russian military’s effort to seize control of Ukraine’s Bakhmut has backfired. After months of trying to capture the city, Moscow’s Ministry of Defence confirmed Friday that its forces were retreating from Bakhmut to "more advantageous defensive positions" north of the city. While Ukraine denies reports of a counteroffensive, their forces confirm making gains in Bakhmut in some pockets. Russia has sustained heavy losses in its efforts and has been pushed on the back foot, with Ukraine preparing to launch an attack at some point this spring or summer. Russia’s defeat at Bakhmut, and inability to make gains elsewhere in Ukraine, is emblematic of broader problems for its military. Vladimir Putin is likely to have scaled back his goals in Ukraine to focus only on Eastern Ukraine, US Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told lawmakers in a briefing earlier this month. It is the biggest Berlin has provided since Russia's invasion.