Ukraine rejects reports of Russian front-line breakthrough.

The Ukrainian military has rejected reports of a Russian front-line breakthrough near the eastern cities of Pokrovsk and Dobropillia, where Kiev’s forces are battling to prevent an encirclement.

“An infiltration by Russian groups does not yet mean ‘taking control of territory,'” the ground forces group Dnipro, which is responsible for the sector, the military said on Telegram.

“Of course, the situation is and remains difficult, and the fighting in this region is the most intense compared to other sections of the front line,” it continued.

Earlier, Ukrainian military observers had reported a Russian advance of more than 10 kilometres north-east of the city of Pokrovsk, in the Donetsk region.

Several official military reports had also spoken of small groups of Russian soldiers pushing into Pokrovsk itself.

The urban agglomeration of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad is surrounded by Russian troops on three sides.

Only a corridor about 15 kilometres wide remains open as a Ukrainian supply line.

Due to a shortage of soldiers caused by recruitment problems and desertion, Ukrainian analysts are increasingly speculating about a collapse of the front in eastern Ukraine.Ukraine has been defending itself against a Russian invasion for more than three years.