Ukrainian troops are facing a very difficult situation in several cities in Donetsk, Bakhmut, Vuhledar and Lyman - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
The UK Ministry of Defense said Ukrainian soldiers are being isolated in Bakhmut because of the fighting.
This comes after Ukraine's defense minister reiterated the view that a new Russian offensive is expected this month, the BBC writes.
At a press conference, Oleksiy Reznikov said that not all Western weaponry would have arrived by then, but Ukraine had reserves to hold off Russian forces.
Reznikov said he expects the planned Russian offensive to prioritize taking the entire eastern Donbass region and create a land corridor across the areas it occupies, including Crimea, by launching offensives in southern and eastern Ukraine.
The Defense Minister also confirmed that troops will begin training on German-made Leopard tanks from Monday.
Reznikov also said that Ukraine had negotiated the supply of new long-range missiles with a range of 150 km and pledged not to use them against Russian territory - only against Russian units in occupied areas of Ukraine.
also
Bakhmuti in danger, reacts President Zelensky
The head of the notorious Russian group Wagner said there are fierce battles for every road in some areas of Bakhmut.
Russian forces have been trying to take control of the city for months - making it the longest battle since Russia invaded Ukraine almost a year ago.
Taking the area is important for Russia to advance its goal of controlling the entire Donbas region in the east of the country. It would also mean a turnaround in Russia's fortunes after losing ground in Ukraine in recent months.
