Overview
- Russia's Defense Ministry says its troops have taken control of 35 buildings in Pokrovsk, and Gen. Valery Gerasimov claimed large Ukrainian formations were blocked in the area.
- Kyiv denies any encirclement, with commander Oleksandr Syrskyi saying Ukrainian forces are holding their positions against what he estimates is a Russian contingent exceeding 100,000 troops.
- Ukraine’s intelligence service reports its Unit Timur is operating inside the city and released combat footage that includes a rare appearance of a U.S.-made Black Hawk helicopter.
- Syrskyi reports advances near Dobropillia, saying Ukrainian troops reclaimed hundreds of square kilometers to reduce pressure on the Pokrovsk axis.
- Open-source mapping by DeepState indicates Russian incursions but shows much of Pokrovsk as contested territory not firmly controlled by either side.