During this long winter of war in Ukraine, in the eastern town of Soledar – near Bakhmut – every inch of land is contested. Russian mercenaries in the Wagner Group claim they’ve conquered the entire territory, but Ukraine says they’ve been “unsuccessful.” While the Kremlin is playing musical chairs with its war commanders – naming its most senior general Valery Gerasimov to replace Sergei Serovikin after just three months – the US and its allies are “positioning Ukraine to be able to move forward and retake territory,” according to a senior Pentagon official. Another says the upgrade in weapons they are providing gives Ukraine a “much more powerful offensive capability.” But still, both sides rely heavily on Soviet-era artillery, as Ben Wedeman reports from the eastern front. 

Also on today's show: Oksana Markarova, Ukrainian Ambassador to the US; Sarah Polley, writer/director of Women Talking; former NFL player Nate Jackson, whose career was ended by injury. 

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