"There is a realistic possibility that Russia has increased its efforts in the Donbas in an attempt to draw in or fix additional Ukrainian units, amid speculation that Ukraine is planning a major counter-offensive," it said in a daily intelligence bulletin.
In the last five days, "there has probably been an increase in the intensity of Russian assaults along the Donetsk sector of the Donbas," according to the defence ministry in London.
"North of Donetsk city, there has been intense fighting near the towns of Siversk and Bakhmut," the British defence ministry said in its latest Intelligence Update on the Situation in Ukraine.
It added that "pro-Russian separatist militia have probably made some progress towards the centre of the village of Pisky, near Donetsk Airport."
Overall, however, "Russian forces have secured few territorial gains" in recent days, the British defence ministry reported.
(gs)
Source: IAR, PAP, ukrinform.net/ukrinform.net