On Sunday, Russia announced that its forces had fully captured a town in eastern Ukraine as they continue their push toward the strategically significant city of Pokrovsk. Moscow’s troops aim to break through Ukrainian defensive lines in this critical area.
Since the invasion in February 2022, Russian forces have taken control of approximately one-fifth of Ukraine. Their current focus is on advancing through eastern Ukraine to claim the entire Donbas region, which is about half the size of Ohio in the United States.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense stated that its forces had seized control of Novohrodivka, a town located just 12 kilometers (7 miles) from Pokrovsk, a key rail and road hub supporting Ukrainian forces in the region. Before the war, Novohrodivka had a population of 14,000.
Yuri Podolyaka, a pro-Russian military blogger originally from Ukraine, shared maps depicting Russian forces advancing beyond Novohrodivka in two areas, less than 7 kilometers (4 miles) from Pokrovsk.
In a report issued later in the day, Ukraine's General Staff described the situation around Pokrovsk as "tense," with "fierce battles" taking place in various towns, including Novohrodivka. "The enemy has launched 23 assaults on Ukrainian positions," the report said, noting that combat was ongoing in six locations.
Due to wartime reporting restrictions, Reuters was unable to verify the battlefield claims from either side.
Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that a Ukrainian incursion into Russia's Kursk region had not slowed Moscow's advances in eastern Ukraine, instead weakening Kyiv’s defenses along the front line, which he described as advantageous for Russia.
On Thursday, Ukraine's top military commander reported that the operation in Kursk had been successful, with no new Russian advances toward Pokrovsk in the previous six days. The incursion was intended to divert Russian forces from other critical areas, including Pokrovsk and Kurakhove. Although Russia has reinforced the Kursk region, it has also bolstered its forces near Pokrovsk, according to Ukrainian military sources.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the operation in Kursk was also designed to prevent Russian forces from crossing into Ukraine from the opposite direction.
Currently, Russia controls about 80% of the Donbas region. However, despite recent rapid advances in the east, some Russian military bloggers have expressed concerns about the possibility of overstretching their forces.
Putin’s "special military operation," which began more than two and a half years ago, continues as Ukraine, with backing from Western allies, vows to push Russian forces out of the country entirely.
