Russian Forces Advance in Ukraine's Pokrovsk City

Russian forces are advancing into the key Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, aided by thick fog that has obscured Ukrainian drone surveillance. Ukrainian military officials report that between 300-500 Russian soldiers are now in the city, with some areas under Russian occupation. The situation is dire, with Ukrainian troops fighting to prevent encirclement by Russian forces. The fall of Pokrovsk could be imminent, with significant implications for the broader conflict in eastern Ukraine.

An 18-year-old Russian street musician, Diana Loginova, known by her stage name Naoko, has been jailed for the third time for performing anti-war songs in Saint Petersburg. Loginova was initially arrested for staging pop-up street concerts reciting songs by exiled Russian artists known for their opposition to Russia's military campaign in Ukraine. She has served two previous 13-day jail terms for 'disrupting public order' and 'petty hooliganism' and has been re-arrested and re-charged with new offenses immediately after both releases. Rights lawyers have criticized this practice, calling it a jail 'carousel,' where prosecutors bring a string of minor charges against defendants to keep them in constant custody. The latest charges resulted in another 13-day prison sentence. The arrest has sparked solidarity among young street performers, with videos in support of Loginova and her band Stoptime flooding TikTok, and other performers expressing support publicly, risking fines or jail sentences themselves.

Hundreds of Russian troops have entered the key frontline Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, with video footage appearing to show them rolling in 'Mad Max-style' on motorbikes and in battered vehicles. The fight for control of Pokrovsk, a strategic point on a major road and rail artery in the Donetsk region, has been ongoing for over a year. Ukraine has acknowledged the presence of Russian troops, with its military saying around 300 Russian soldiers are now inside the city. Russia claims to have made significant gains, including taking 256 buildings and advancing towards the northwest and east of Pokrovsk. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that the situation remains difficult, but Ukrainian forces continue to defend the city.