Russian forces are going on the offensive with renewed strength against the town of Toretsk on the eastern Ukrainian front.
According to Ukraine's military, the Russian advances in the area around Toretsk have "intensified" and late on Tuesday, it was reported that the invasion forces had launched "five simultaneous assault operations".
Independent analysts and AFP's correspondent in the region share the picture of a Russian escalation. This comes after a period of relative calm in the fighting around Toretsk from the Ukrainian side.
Toretsk had around 30,000 inhabitants before the war and lies a few miles south of Bachmut and the strategically important town of Tchasiv Yar, which is also under heavy pressure on the front.
Ukraine needs new soldiers and has had some difficulties in resisting Russian advances during the spring. The country's army chief, Oleksandr Syrskyj, said the other day that Russia has launched a greater effort to push the frontline before Ukraine receives new weapon deliveries.
During the night to Wednesday, drone attacks were carried out against Lviv in western Ukraine, the city's mayor announced. An elderly man was reportedly injured.
Air raid warnings were issued in several regions of Ukraine in several rounds during the night, with residents urged to seek shelter.
