Small groups of Russian troops have pierced parts of Ukraine’s defenses in its eastern Donetsk region, according to local officials and monitoring groups, adding to Kyiv’s complications as Russia attempts to encircle the key strategic city of Pokrovsk.

Fearing the possibility of a repeat incursion by Ukraine's army, Russian forces had attached TM-62 anti-tank mines to the supporting pillars of the bridge - in case they needed to destroy it.

Ahead of a summit in Alaska between Trump and Putin, Russian troops continued their campaign to take full control of Ukraine's Donetsk region.