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Russian attacks in the eastern Donbas region have increased in intensity within the last five days, particularly across Donestk, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.

Writing in its daily intelligence update, the MoD pinpointed Siversk and Bakhmut as hotspots of fighting, adding Russia has made few concrete territorial gains.

This comes as Ukraine continues its commitment to a counter-offensive in Russian-controlled territory.

The MoD tweeted: “Over the last five days, there has probably been an increase in the intensity of Russian assaults along the Donetsk sector of the Donbas.

“North of Donetsk city, there has been intense fighting near the towns of Siversk and Bakhmut.

“Pro-Russian separatist militia have probably made some progress towards the centre of the village of Pisky, near Donetsk Airport.

“However, overall, Russian forces have secured few territorial gains.

“There is a realistic possibility that Russia has increased its efforts in the Donbas in an attempt to draw in or fix additional Ukrainian units, amid speculation that Ukraine is planning a major counter-offensive.”