Russian units are tightening their grip around Pokrovsk and Mirnograd, potentially creating a cauldron around two of Ukraine's strategic strongholds in Donetsk province.

The Russian military says it has pushed Ukrainian forces out of a second village in the central province of Dnipropetrovsk, near the administrative border with Donetsk province.

Ukrainian soldiers are struggling to hold Konstantinovka, a key city in their Donetsk defense line, under the constant threat of Russian drones.

Russian officials say their forces have taken control of the first village in Dnipropetrovsk province, near the administrative border with Donetsk province.

Russian forces have taken control of Shevchenko, a village in Donetsk near what's considered one of Eastern Europe's largest lithium deposits.