War update: 54 clashes on front line since morning, one third of them in Pokrovsk sector

Since the beginning of the day, 54 combat engagements have taken place between the Ukrainian Defense Forces and Russian troops. Fighting is currently ongoing on five axes of the front, with the occupiers concentrating the greatest efforts on the Pokrovsk direction.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated this in an update as of 16:00 on January 8, Ukrinform reports.

Russian artillery once again shelled border settlements today, including Kucherivka, Studenok, Bila Bereza, Ryzhivka, and Neskuchne in Sumy region.

In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, defenders repelled two assault actions by the invaders. In these sectors, Russian forces shelled Ukrainian positions and settlements 51 times, including once with a multiple launch rocket system.

In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, defenders repelled five Russian attacks. Three engagements are currently ongoing. The enemy is attempting to advance in the areas of Burguvatka, Vilcha, and Fyholivka.

In the Kupiansk sector, the Russian army attempted once to advance toward Ukrainian positions in the direction of Kupiansk and was repelled.

In the Lyman sector, the invaders attacked Defense Forces positions three times toward Drobysheve and Stavky. Two engagements are ongoing.

In the Sloviansk and Kramatorsk sectors, Russian forces have not conducted offensive actions so far today.

In the Kostiantynivka sector, the enemy carried out eight assault actions in the areas of Oleksandro-Shultyne, Pleshchiivka, Ivanopillia, Rusyn Yar, and Sofiivka.

In the Pokrovsk sector, Russian troops made 18 attempts to push defenders from their positions in the areas of Nykanorivka, Chervonyi Lyman, Rodynske, Myrnohrad, Kotlyne, Udachne, Molodetske, Filiia, and Dachne. The Defense Forces are holding the line: 16 enemy attacks have already been repelled.

In the Oleksandrivka sector, the invaders are trying to break through defenses in the areas of Verbove, Vyshneve, Zlahoda, Rybne, and Yehorivka. Three of their assaults have been repelled, with three more engagements ongoing.

In the Huliaipole sector, ten combat engagements took place in the areas of Solodke, Huliaipole, and Varvarivka. Two are currently ongoing.

Russian aviation struck Yuliivka, Rizdvianka, Hirske, Verkhnia Tersa, Liubytske, and Zaliznychne.

In the Orikhiv sector, the enemy has not conducted offensive actions so far today.

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In the Prydniprovske sector, the Russian army attempted once to approach the positions of Ukrainian defenders near the Antonivskyi Bridge, unsuccessfully.

In the remaining  sectors of the front, the situation has not changed significantly.

As Ukrinform previously reported, Andriivka in the Sumy region remains under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.