The situation on Ukraine’s eastern front lines is getting tough, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
Ukrainian troops are facing a very difficult situation in three heavily contested towns in Donetsk – Bakhmut, Vuhledar and Lyman – Mr Zelensky said.
The UK’s defence ministry said Ukrainian soldiers are becoming isolated in embattled Bakhmut.
The head of Russia’s notorious Wagner group said there are fierce battles for every street in some areas of the town.
Russian forces have been attempting to seize control of Bakhmut for months – making it the longest battle since Russia invaded Ukraine almost a year ago.
Taking the area is important to Russia in furthering its aim of controlling the whole of the Donbas region in the country’s east. It would also signify a turnaround in Russia’s fortunes after it lost ground in Ukraine during recent months.
Source: BBC