“Special attention to the Kharkiv region. Defensive battles, brutal battles continue along a large part of our border line, in particular, on the outskirts of the city of Volchansk, the situation is extremely difficult,” the Ukrainian president stated on Monday in his Telegram channel, adding that Ukrainian troops are under intense pressure from Russian forces in several other areas of the province.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported on May 8th that the Russian troops had completely occupied the town of Kislovka, in the Kharkiv province. In addition, the forces of the Western grouping improved their positions along the front line and repelled two counterattacks near Grigorovka, in the Donetsk People’s Republic, and Stelmakhovka, in the Luhansk People’s Republic.

Other reports indicate that the units of the Center grouping entered the town of Novokalínovo in Donetsk and repelled 11 counterattacks near the towns of Shumi, Novgorodskoe, Vodianoe, Soloviovo, Semionovka, Pervomaiskoe and Netailovo, also in Donetsk.

jrr/llp/mv/gfa