Russian troops continue attacks in eastern Ukraine

The Russian military has once again tried to break through the Ukrainian lines of defence around the town of Kurakhove on the edge of Ukraine's eastern Donbass region.

Of a total of 108 Russian attacks along the front in eastern Ukraine, 39 were on the Kurakhove section, the general staff in Kiev said in its evening situation report, adding that the Russian attacks, supported by artillery, were repelled.

The information could not be independently verified. Russian troops have for weeks been attacking this section of the front with massive force in an effort to break through Ukrainian lines.

Heavy fighting was also reported in the nearby Pokrovsk region. In addition to artillery, Russian forces also used warplanes there, dropping guided glide bombs on Ukrainian positions. Fifteen Russian attacks were repelled there during the day, Kiev said.

The Russian troops want to expand their previous territorial gains in eastern Ukraine. A breakthrough at Kurakhove or Pokrovsk would open the way for the Russian units to push deep behind the Ukrainian defence lines.