Thick fog has enabled Russian troops to move further into the key strategic city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine's 7th Airborne Assault Corps says weather conditions, particularly dense fog, have prompted Moscow to intensify its bid to encircle Ukrainian forces in the ruined city. President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledges a difficult situation as Russian troops have reportedly increased to between 300 and 500 in number.
Army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi noted that the front line in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region has significantly worsened, with the loss of three settlements. The situation is particularly alarming around Pokrovsk, where Russian military activity has escalated. Videos circulating on social media depict Russian soldiers navigating through fog in civilian vehicles, indicating a notable shift in tactics.
The fog has obscured visibility, limiting aerial reconnaissance and allowing the Russian military to launch ground assaults that may not have been possible under clearer conditions. Ukrainian defenses have been engaged in constant skirmishes with these newly emerging Russian groups.
Recent mapping by the Ukraine-based DeepState monitoring group indicates that Russian forces are closing in on most areas of Pokrovsk, with some observers suggesting that the fall of the city is imminent. Ukrainian troops are fighting to maintain control over the city and prevent encirclement by Russian forces, who are adeptly targeting key supply routes and employing infiltration tactics to destabilize Ukrainian defenses.
This tactical complexity escalates the urgency for both sides as they navigate a dynamic and continuously evolving battlefield environment.
