Overview
- The Russian Ministry of Defence asserts its forces have nearly encircled Pokrovsk and Kupiansk and publicly calls on Ukrainian troops there to surrender.
- Ukraine’s general staff rejects any encirclement in Pokrovsk, says the defense of the agglomeration continues, and notes recent presidential and special-forces visits to reinforce the sector.
- Fighting inside the city is described as street-by-street, with Ukrainian-linked analysts labeling much of Pokrovsk a shifting “grey zone” as both sides claim localized gains.
- A Ukrainian drone strike in Russia’s Volgograd region killed one civilian, regional authorities said, following a wave of cross-border attacks on industrial and energy targets.
- The Kremlin highlights expanded warfighting capacity, confirming production of the Oreshnik missile and authorizing use of reservists to protect energy infrastructure, while experts warn Pokrovsk’s fall would offer Moscow significant operational openings.