Kiev says heavy fighting continues in eastern Ukraine

The Ukrainian military on Friday said its forces have repelled dozens of fresh attacks by Russian troops.

A total of 79 Russian attacks, some with artillery and air support, were reported from the fronts in eastern Ukraine, the General Staff in Kiev said in its daily situation report.

The focal point was once again the area around Pokrovsk on the edge of the Donbass. There, Russian units attempted to fortify and expand territorial gains made the previous day. In total, the Ukrainian defenders in this area were subjected to 20 attacks in the last day.

Similar heavy fighting was also reported in the area around Toretsk. Several attacks by Russian ground troops were reportedly repulsed as Russian fighter jets attacked Ukrainian positions and settlements with missiles.

The general staff did not provide any information on the current status of the Ukrainian advance in the southern Russian region of Kursk. It merely stated that the Russian air force had flown several attacks in the area, using around 20 glide bombs.