Russia’s Defence Ministry said on Monday that its forces had taken control of two villages in eastern Ukraine.
This was the second consecutive day that Moscow announced the capture of new territories. Ukrainian military statements have, at least in part, contradicted the Russian claim.
The Russian ministry said in a statement that its forces had taken control of the settlements of Stepova Novoselovka in the Kharkiv region and Novopokrovske in the Donetsk region.
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said in an evening report that its troops had repelled 17 attacks in the Kupiansk sector near Kharkiv, including Stepova Novoselivka. It said fighting continued near Synkivka to the west.
Russia has announced a steady increase in its offensive since it captured the town of Avdiivka in the Donetsk region in February.
The Donetsk and Kharkiv regions remain the focal point on a 1,000-kilometre (600-mile) front line across Ukraine’s east and south.
The Ukrainian military earlier said it had repelled Russian attacks near two towns in the Donetsk region – Novoaleksandrivka and Spirn – a day after Russian forces claimed control over them. Evening reports said fighting continued near both localities.
The evening report described the Pokrovsk front as the site of the heaviest fighting. 44 Russian attacks had been repelled in the past 24 hours, while 14 clashes were still ongoing.
Russia maintained a military presence along the border with Ukraine’s northern Chernihiv and Sumy regions, the army said, adding that Moscow’s forces were increasing the density of landmines and carrying out sabotage activities.
The area is being watched for signs that Russia might be planning to open a new front to put pressure on Ukraine’s outnumbered defenders.
Russia attacked border areas northeast of Kharkiv in May, opening a new front in a full-scale invasion that lasted 28 months.
The latest Ukrainian reports said Kiev’s troops had taken control of the area and repelled 11 Russian attacks near three towns, including Vovchansk, 5 km (3 miles) from the border.
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