Russia’s defence ministry said its troops had “liberated the village of Voskhod”, around 30km northwest of Donetsk city, the capital of a region that Moscow claims to have annexed.

Kyiv says the fiercest fighting across the entire frontline is taking place in the Donetsk region.

Russia has claimed to have taken a string of villages and settlements, many consisting of no more than a few streets and a handful of abandoned buildings, in recent weeks.

Neither side has been able to achieve a decisive breakthrough and both Moscow and Kyiv say they are inflicting heavy casualties on the other, almost two and a half years after Russia launched its offensive.

Kyiv hopes fresh supplies of Western arms that are being delivered to the battlefield will help its outgunned and outmanned troops resist the Russian pressure.