Russia continued its advancement on Ukraine's northern Kharkiv region on Monday, achieving "partial success".
Gunfires have been reported in industrial areas on the outskirts of the Ukrainian town of Vovchansk. Ukraine's general staff in a statement on social media admitted that "at the moment, the enemy has tactical success."
The statement also said, "Our defenders conduct defensive actions (to) inflict damage on the enemy."
Kyiv on Monday also announced the replacement of the commander overseeing the north-eastern Kharkiv front. Additional reserves were also moved to Kharkiv amid Russia's advancement.
Russian troops were advancing near Lyptsi, another small town closer to Kharkiv.
Kharkiv’s governor, Oleh Syniehubov, told local TV: “The enemy is trying to deliberately stretch it [the frontline], attacking in small groups, but in new directions, so to speak.”
The Ukrainian military on Monday said that it had stopped Russian forces from moving further near the village of Lukyantsi to the north in the Kharkiv region where they had a "partial success".
Taking advantage of limited Ukrainian air defences to bomb in and around the city, Russia has been gradually intensifying its military operations around Kharkiv.
Due to delays in Western funding, Ukraine is experiencing chronic shortages of manpower and weapons. Ukrainian troops are exhausted as the war nears its 28th month.
Reportedly, Russian forces are also trying to capture the strategically key eastern city of Chasiv Yar. Once the city is captured, it gives access to other Ukrainian-controlled cities in the Donetsk region: Kramatorsk, Sloviansk, Druzhkivka and Kostiantynivka.
According to Russian authorities, at least 13 people had been killed and 20 injured when a section of an apartment block collapsed in Belgorod.
