Ukraine says 'heavy' fighting on Russia-held bank of Dnipro river

Ukraine's military said Friday its troops were engaged in fierce fighting with Russian forces on the eastern bank of the Dnipro river, which has been controlled by Russian forces for months.

"Heavy fighting continues," the military said in a statement, adding it had pushed back Russian forces to gain a foothold across the river in the Kherson region. "Sabotage, raiding and reconnaissance operations are underway," it added.

Russia's defense ministry said it was inflicting heavy losses on Ukrainian troops at the Dnipro river, after Kyiv said it had successfully established a foothold on the Russian-controlled eastern bank.

"The enemy is on the right (western) bank of the Dnipro and during attempts to land on islands lost more than 460 servicemen, killed and wounded, two tanks and 17 vehicles," Moscow's defense ministry said.