As Russian troops pressed attacks on the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut on Thursday, residents of nearby villages fled their homes fearing Russian advance.
Ukraine military general staff said that the enemy was continuing to advance toward Bakhmut and “is storming the city”.
Machinery digging new trenches in the Chasiv Yar area, west of Bakhmut were seen digging new trenches believed to be part of a new line of defence.