The Ukrainian army has rejected claims of a breakthrough by Russian forces near the eastern cities of Pokrovsk and Dobropilya, where Kiev forces are fighting to prevent themselves from being encircled, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
"The penetration of (Russian) groups ... does not yet mean "taking control of the territory", a spokesman for the "Dnepr" military group, which is responsible for the sector, wrote last night on "Telegram". "Of course, the situation is and remains difficult, the most intense fighting is taking place in this area" along the front line, the text also says.
Earlier, Ukrainian military observers reported a Russian advance more than 10 km northeast of the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk region.
Several official military reports also mention small groups of Russian soldiers entering Pokrovsk itself. The urban agglomeration of Pokrovsk and Mirnograd is surrounded on three sides by Russian troops. The only Ukrainian supply line remains a corridor about 15 km wide.
The Ukrainian army is suffering from a shortage of servicemen due to recruitment problems and desertion, and Ukrainian analysts are increasingly speculating about the collapse of the front in eastern Ukraine, DPA notes.
Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry said that last night the Russian Air Force had intercepted 25 Ukrainian drones over the Rostov region and Stavropol Territory, Reuters reported.
"From 23:50 Moscow time on August 11 to 03:40 Moscow time on August 12, the air defense forces on duty intercepted and destroyed 25 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles," the defense ministry wrote. The text states that 22 of the drones were intercepted over the Rostov region and 3 over the Stavropol Territory.