Russia presses along Ukraine front after reports of Bakhmut slowdown

Anti-aircraft unit serviceman of the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade, call sign "Chub", 34, poses for a portrait with a portable anti-aircraft missile system, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near Soledar north of Bakhmut, Ukraine March 23, 2023. REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura

NEAR KREMINNA, Ukraine (Reuters) -Russian forces attacked northern and southern stretches of the front in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region on Friday, even as Kyiv said Moscow's assault was flagging near the city of Bakhmut.

Ukrainian military reports described heavy fighting along a line running from Lyman to Kupiansk, as well as in the south at Avdiivka on the outskirts of the Russian-held city of Donetsk.