Russian assertions of Ukrainian front-line gains are refuted.

The Kremlin denied reports of a Ukrainian breakthrough on the front line of the war, even though the claim was made by pro-Russia sources. On Friday, the mayor of Melitopol reported a large explosion in the centre of the city. Ukraine's air force made 14 strikes on Russian forces and military equipment on Thursday, and destroyed nine Russian drones and carried out successful attacks on dozens of military targets. President Volodymyr Zelensky said it was too early to start a counteroffensive, and Wagner boss Prigozhin said the situation "on the flanks" at Bakhmut was "developing in line with the worst of the predicted scenarios". Ukrainian forces are preparing for a major counteroffensive in the southern and north-eastern parts of the country, preceded by air attacks to "shape" the battlefield.

Western officials estimate between 20,000 and 30,000 Russian troops have been killed or wounded at Bakhmut, while Ukraine's military has also paid a heavy price. Russia has stopped several Ukrainian attacks throughout Thursday and an ongoing battle near Malynivka, in eastern Donetsk, involves both air and artillery forces. Since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February, thousands of civilians and combatants have been killed or injured, cities and towns have been destroyed, and nearly 8.2 million Ukrainians have been registered as refugees in Europe.