Ukraine is repelling constant attacks on Bakhmut and other towns there by Russian mercenary group Wagner, Ukrainian authorities have said.
It comes as Volodymyr Zelensky said that his forces were engaged in the “bloodiest” battle of the war so far in eastern Ukraine.
Mr Zelensky said: “Bakhmut is holding on despite everything. And even though most of the town has been destroyed by Russian strikes, our soldiers are repelling constant Russian attempts to advance.”
“Soledar is holding on, even though there is even greater destruction and things are very difficult,” he added.
Russia has resumed its offensive efforts after Vladimir Putin called a unilateral truce for Orthodox Christmas over the weekend, though there was little sign of a break in the fighting at the frontline.
Elsewhere, a 60-year-old woman was killed and several other people were wounded in a Russian missile strikeon a market in the village of Shevchenkove in eastern Ukraine on Monday, the regional governor said.
