MOSCOW, May 4. /TASS/. Russian forces are advancing in the Slavyansk frontline area in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and gaining a foothold on the eastern outskirts of Rai-Aleksandrovka to advance to Slavyansk, DPR Head Denis Pushilin said during a live broadcast on the Vesti TV program.

"In the Slavyansk direction, we see the advance of our forces, which are gaining a foothold on the eastern outskirts of Rai-Aleksandrovka. That community is quite important on the way towards Slavyansk and allows for the advance to the Seversky Donetsk - Donbass Canal," he said.

Russian forces are also engaged in battles in areas near the settlements of Stary Karavan and Brusovka on the way to the key waterway, the DPR head said.

"In the Krasny Liman direction, our forces keep advancing towards the Seversky Donetsk - Donbass Canal. We now see battles ongoing in the area of Stary Karavan and also Brusovka that was earlier liberated," Pushilin said.