Ukraine-Russia Conflict Escalates in Pokrovsk Region

Ukraine's top military commander, Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, has admitted that Ukrainian troops are facing a 'multi-thousand enemy' force defending the key eastern front-line town of Pokrovsk. Despite Russian claims that Ukrainian troops are surrounded or blocked, Syrskyi denied this and confirmed the deployment of elite special forces to protect key supply lines. The situation remains 'difficult and dynamic', with Ukrainian media reporting that the head of Ukraine's military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, was overseeing the operation. Russia has been trying to seize Pokrovsk for over a year, and its capture could unlock Russian efforts to seize the rest of the Donetsk region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed that the defence of Pokrovsk was a 'priority'.

Ukrainian forces have hit a key fuel pipeline near Moscow that supplies the Russian army, according to Ukraine's military intelligence. The operation, carried out late Friday, targeted the Koltsevoy pipeline, which spans 250 miles and supplies gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel to the Russian army. Meanwhile, Russia continues its campaign of massive drone and missile attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, causing power outages and restrictions across the country. The conflict in the eastern Donetsk region continues, with Russian forces straining to take the key city of Pokrovsk. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged that some Russian units had infiltrated Pokrovsk, but insisted that Ukraine is weeding them out.

The article reports on the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, focusing on the city of Pokrovsk. Ukrainian troops are said to be surrendering, according to the Russian defense ministry, but Ukraine's military claims the situation is 'dynamic' and that their positions in some districts have improved. Ukraine is increasing its assault troops in the area and working to cut off Russian military logistics routes. The Russian defense ministry claims to have defeated a Ukrainian special forces team attempting to prevent their advance. The article also mentions Ukraine's claims of hitting a key Russian fuel pipeline and Russia's attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, including a gas production site.