Numerous attacks have been repelled in the area of eastern Donetsk over the last 24 hours, Ukraine's military says, APA reports citing BBC news.
Russian forces claim they are about to take the eastern city of Bakhmut - the focus of intense fighting for many months.
“Units of the private military company Wagner have practically surrounded Bakhmut,” Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin said, appearing in combat uniform in a video posted on Telegram.
“Only one route [out] is left,” he said. “The pincers are closing.”