As talks between senior US and Russian officials commence in Riyadh, Russia's forces in eastern Ukraine persist in carrying out intense assaults, particularly in eastern Donetsk. Recent Russian advances towards the town of Kurakhove have left Ukrainian units vulnerable to potential encirclement. However, reports indicate that the Russians have suffered significant losses in armored vehicles as they push westward.
One Ukrainian soldier revealed that the Russians are focusing on closing the Kurakhove pocket and plan to target Pokrovsk subsequently. Despite their efforts to expedite operations, they are facing substantial resistance in both directions. Ukrainian forces near Pokrovsk have witnessed changes in command and a more coordinated use of attack drones against the Russian troops.
The Ukrainian military has documented 139 clashes along the frontlines in the past day, with Russian forces also launching offensives in the northern Kharkiv region. In the Russian region of Kursk, Ukrainian forces maintain control over several hundred square kilometers of territory, with both sides engaging in tactical assaults.
Notably, Russia has been conducting nightly waves of drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. The Ukrainian military reported that 176 strike drones were deployed across a dozen regions the previous night, resulting in 103 drones being intercepted and shot down.
The Kremlin has explicitly rejected any territorial exchanges as part of a potential settlement, underscoring the ongoing tensions and military actions in the region.
