Units of the Russian Armed Forces’ «South» troop grouping have taken control of the settlement of Golubovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic. The information was included in the Russian Defense Ministry’s briefing on the progress of the special military operation released on March 9.

The capture of Golubovka strengthens a foothold for a potential advance toward Slavyansk, located to the north. The village lies in the Bakhmut district, less than 30 kilometers from the city. According to the 2001 census, Golubovka had a population of just 40 residents.

Official data from the Russian Defense Ministry indicates that this is already the fifth settlement in the region to come under Russian control since the beginning of March. On March 2, Russian forces took Reznikovka and Drobyshevo; Yarovaya was captured on March 5, followed by Sosnovoye on March 6.

Overall, between March 2 and March 8, Russian army units reported taking control of seven settlements. Four of them are located in the Donetsk People’s Republic, while one settlement each was reported in Kharkov, Sumy, and Zaporozhye regions.