Ukraine halts Russian attack in east, makes gains in south.

Ukraine's military has stopped a Russian offensive towards the cities of Kupiansk and Lyman in the east of the country and is advancing in the south, according to a senior Ukrainian defence official. Ukraine has retaken eight villages, its first substantial gains on the battlefield for seven months. However, Russia still holds swathes of territory in eastern and southern Ukraine, and Ukrainian forces have yet to push to the main defensive lines that Russia has had months to prepare.