Overview
- Several hundred Russian soldiers entered Pokrowsk’s center and dug in, but their position remains vulnerable because supply routes are exposed to drones and artillery.
- Ukraine inserted HUR and SBU special units by helicopter, with Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi and intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov present to oversee operations.
- Kyiv launched a local counterattack to loosen the Russian pincer around the city, though outcomes remain unclear due to low reliability of battlefield reporting.
- The Institute for the Study of War reports marginal Ukrainian gains east of Rodynske that have not produced lasting changes to the frontline.
- Russian strikes caused civilian casualties and power outages in the Donetsk region, and a partisan group’s sabotage claim targeting a Russian brigade was reported without independent verification.