Moscow confirmed its forces were advancing on the town of Vogledar, a new fighting hub on Ukraine’s eastern frontline where fighting has recently taken place, in a statement Kyiv was quick to deny.

Russian news agencies quoted pro-Russian separatist leader Denis Pushilin from Donetsk as saying: “Our units continue to advance … they have established positions in eastern Vogledar and work continues in its vicinity.”

However, the local representative of the Ukrainian army, Evgeny Yeren, confirmed that Russian attacks in the region had failed.

He said: Ukrainian forces were able to repel the Russians thanks to “firearms and artillery”, adding that “the enemy was unsuccessful and withdrew”. We didn’t lose our positions.”

For his part, Pushlin confirmed that the Ukrainian army has withdrawn to an area that includes “a large number of industrial facilities and skyscrapers” that facilitate defense operations.

“So we assume that the enemy will resist,” he added.

In turn, the Ministry of Defense of Russia made a statement, which led to confusion on the matter.

The ministry said its forces “took control of more favorable positions” in Voglidar and inflicted losses on Ukrainian forces.

And Voglidar, a mining town with 15,000 inhabitants before the Russian attack, is 150 kilometers south of Bakhmut, a city also located in the east of the country and the scene of violent fighting between Ukrainian forces and troops. The Russian army, which has been trying to control it for more than six months, has suffered huge losses.

Pushlin said on Monday that “fierce fighting” was taking place near Bakhmut and that it was “premature” to talk about Russian forces encircling the city.