Ukraine’s surprise incursion into Russia’s Kursk region last month helped to boost national morale, but the Kremlin has retaliated with serious of missile attacks.
On Sunday, Russia claimed to have taken control of a village just 10km from a key transportation hub Pokrovsk, in eastern Ukraine.
The front line is less than 8km (4.9 miles) from Pokrovsk, prompting thousands of residents to flee.
If the city falls, Russian forces will cut off one of the main supply routes in the region. For Ukraine, this would mean the loss of almost the entire Donetsk region.
BBC’s Abdujalil Abdurasulov who has been filming Ukrainian soldiers in the area sent this report.
Subscribe here: http://bit.ly/1rbfUog
For more news, analysis and features visit: www.bbc.com/news
#Ukraine #Russia #BBCNews