Here are the latest developments in the war in Ukraine.

As Russia continues to pound eastern Ukraine, the Kremlin is trying to deepen its hold on occupied territory in the south, restoring transportation links and other key infrastructure to secure a “land bridge” from Russia to the Crimean Peninsula.

Russia’s defense minister, Sergei K. Shoigu, said on Tuesday that its military, working with Russian Railways, had repaired about 750 miles of track in Ukraine and set the conditions for “full-fledged traffic” to flow from Russia to occupied territory in Kherson and on to Crimea.

His claims could not be independently confirmed.

For Ukrainians, the announcements were another demonstration that Russia intended to break Ukraine apart and pillage its natural resources.

In other developments:
- Russia’s foreign minister held talks with Turkish officials but announced no progress toward allowing grain exports from Ukraine.
- The World Bank approved $1.49 billion of new financing for Ukraine.
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@nytimes