Fierce fighting continues in Ukraine: 89 clashes reported, over third near Pokrovsk

This is according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 16:00.

Russian army shelling of Ukraine

Settlements in Chernihiv region (Klyusy) and Sumy region (Velyka Pysarivka, Ponomarenky, Novodmytrivka, Bachivsk, Uhroidy, Lisne, Myropilske, Porozok, Kucherivka, Bunyakyne, Tovstodubove, Brusky, Popivka, Sosnivka, and Stepok) came under artillery fire from Russian territory.

In the Kharkiv sector, Ukrainian army repelled one Russian attack near Vovchansk. Zolochiv was hit by an airstrike.

In the Kupiansk sector, Russian army launched four attacks near Zahryzove and toward Novosynove and Hlushkivka; Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled two assaults, with two clashes still ongoing.

In the Lyman sector, Russian forces carried out 13 attacks near Hrekivka, Novomykhailivka, Nove, Kolodiazi, Myrne, and toward Zelena Dolyna. Five clashes are currently underway.

In the Kramatorsk sector, Ukrainian forces repelled three Russian attacks near Kurdiumivka and toward Bila Hora; fighting is ongoing. In the Toretsk sector, Russian troops attempted to dislodge Ukrainian units near Toretsk and Ozarianivka, where two assaults were repelled, and another battle is still ongoing.

In the Pokrovsk sector, Russian forces made 32 attempts to push Ukrainian defenders from their positions near Sukha Balka, Stara Mykolaivka, Vodiane Druhe, Novotoretske, Shevchenko, Udachne, Uspenivka, Kotliarivka, Troitske, Bohdanivka, and Andriivka. Defense Forces are holding firm, having repelled 21 attacks so far. Russian aviation struck with guided bombs near Shevchenko Pershe, Nova Poltavka, Sukhyi Yar, Pokrovsk, Kotlyne, and Udachne.

In the Novopavlivka sector, Ukrainian troops are repelling two Russian assaults, and have already stopped eight attacks near Novopil, Novosilka, Pryvilne, Komar, and toward Odradne. Novopil and Novodarivka were hit by unguided rockets.

In the Hulyaipole sector near Vysoke, Defense Forces successfully repelled four Russian attacks; one clash is still ongoing. Russian army also used unguided rockets on Zaliznychne.

In the Orikhiv sector, Ukrainian defenders stopped 11 assaults near Stepove, Mali Shcherbaky, Kamianske, and toward Novoandriivka and Novodanylivka. Russia used guided bombs and missiles on Mala Tokmachka, Stepove, and Kamianske.

In the Kurakhove sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled six Russian attacks; another clash is underway. Additionally, Russian forces carried out 189 artillery strikes, including five with multiple launch rocket systems, and launched four airstrikes, dropping six guided bombs.

In the Siversk and Prydniprovskyi sectors, Russia did not conduct active offensive operations.

• Russian special services are reportedly planning May 9 provocations against civilians to later blame them on resistance movements.