Russia captured Bakhmut, theatre of some of the bloodiest fighting of the 20-month-old war, in May.
Ukraine launched a counteroffensive in June aimed at retaking occupied land in the country's south and east, including Bakhmut.
"In the Bakhmut area, the enemy has significantly strengthened its grouping and switched from defence to active actions," General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine's commander of ground forces, wrote on Telegram.
In its nightly report, the Ukrainian General Staff said Kyiv's forces remained on the offensive near Bakhmut.
"The enemy unsuccessfully tried to restore lost positions near Klishchiivka", it said, referring to a village south of Bakhmut recaptured by Ukraine in September.
Persons:
Bakhmut, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Volodymyr Fityo, Fityo, Kyiv's, Yuliia, Tom Balmforth, Ron Popeski, Ed Osmond, Cynthia Osterman
Organizations:
Reuters, Ukrainian, Staff
Locations:
Russia, Bakhmut, Ukraine, May, Ukrainian, Kupiansk, Klishchiivka, Synkivka