There is little hope for negotiations to end the war but Russia and Ukraine have managed to engage on exchanging POWs and other issues, at times through intermediaries.
Ukraine denied any involvement in the attacks in Russia's Belgorod region, where the governor said one person was killed and eight were injured.
Soldiers made gains outside Orikhovo-Vasylivka and Ivanivske and in Paraskoviivka, all near Bakhmut, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said.
Ukrainians in Russian-occupied areas of the south, inundated after the collapse of the Kakhovka dam, described continuing chaos.