Putin says Russia advancing fast in eastern Ukraine

FILE PHOTO: A volunteer of East SOS assists resident Andrii Ostorozhnyi who is evacuating his home because of Russian advances, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Selydove near Pokrovsk, Ukraine, August 22, 2024. REUTERS/Thomas Peter/File photo

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian forces are advancing faster in eastern Ukraine than they have done for a long time, taking several square kilometres per day, President Vladimir Putin said on Monday as Moscow's forces tried to smash through a Ukrainian defensive line.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy acknowledged the difficulties in the east, particularly near the city of Pokrovsk, but said Russia's military had made no further advances in the past two days.