Ukraine said fierce fighting was taking place in the besieged frontline town of Avdiivka and that it was preparing new positions around the industrial center as Russia stepped up its attacks, AFP reported.
The announcement came a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kiev would do "everything" to save lives in the symbolic city, surrounded on three sides by Russian forces.
"Fierce fighting is taking place within the city," Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, a Ukrainian general, said on social media.
"Our troops are using all available forces and means to contain the enemy," he added.
"New positions have been prepared and powerful fortifications continue to be prepared, taking into account all possible scenarios," said Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, a senior Ukrainian commander in charge of forces in the east of the country.
He said that Kiev wants to protect its troops: "We value every piece of Ukrainian land, but the highest value and priority for us is the preservation of the life of the Ukrainian soldier."
Tarnavski called the situation in Avdiyvka "difficult but controlled" and said commanders were tasked with "stabilizing the situation."
Russia has been trying to take Avdiivka for months. /BGNES
