Ukraine has denied Russian claims that it retook a key bridgehead on the Dnipro River frontline that has been under fierce attack since the end of last year.
On Tuesday Russia’s defence minister said Moscow’s forces had taken the village of Krynky, seized by Ukrainian troops in November.
Russia has stepped up its offensive ahead of Saturday’s second anniversary of its invasion, retaking the symbolic town of Avdiivka last week.
Ukrainian troops have held positions at Krynky since November despite heavy Russian artillery fire.
“We officially inform that this information is not true,” the command of the Ukrainian army on the southern front said of the Russian claims over the village.
“The defence forces of southern Ukraine continue to hold their positions (in Krynky),” the command said on social media.
It claimed Russian forces launched an assault on Krynky but suffered “significant losses” and retreated.
AFP was not able to verify the claims.