Russian troops seize two villages near Avdiivka in Ukraine

Ukrainian officials say situation ‘very difficult’ but ‘not catastrophic’ amid fierce fighting around Ocheretyne

Russian troops have advanced near the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka and seized two villages, but Ukrainian security officials said although the situation in the east of the country was “very difficult” it was “not critical or catastrophic”.

Russian units have expanded a narrow corridor around the rural settlement of Ocheretyne, captured a week ago. They overran neighbouring hamlets – Solovyove and Novokalynove – and pushed forward to the west.