Ukrainian artillery disrupts Russian efforts to advance in Donbas. This was stated by a senior representative of the US Department of Defense, he is quoted by CNN, reports "

In particular, the official was referring to Russia's attempts to transfer forces across the Seversky Donets River in order to strengthen positions in the north of Donbass..

He said there was a lot of fighting going on between Izyum and Slavyansk, but the Russians hadn't been able to make much progress..

However, according to the official, Russian forces have made gradual gains west of Popasnaya..

Ukrainian forces successfully prevented attempts by Russian troops to cross the Seversky Donets, British intelligence also noted.