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 reports that such weather conditions have prompted Moscow to escalate its efforts to encircle Ukrainian forces within the ruined city.
After over a year of attempts to seize Pokrovsk, estimates suggest there may now be 300-500 Russian soldiers within the city limits. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that the situation remains particularly difficult.
Reports indicate that as weather conditions have worsened, with low visibility affecting aerial reconnaissance, Russian forces have exploited this to launch ground assaults. Footage has emerged showing Russian troops moving through the fog, raising alarms among Ukrainian military officials.
Ukrainian military chief Oleksandr Syrskyi noted that the situation along the southeast front has significantly worsened, with losses including three settlements. However, he emphasized that Russian military activity is concentrated around Pokrovsk, suggesting a critical juncture in the ongoing conflict.
A viral video capturing Russian soldiers on motorbikes has been verified as filmed on the outskirts of the city, indicating bold maneuvering in an area typically dominated by aerial surveillance from Ukrainian drones. The fog has compromised such oversight, allowing Russian units to undertake semi-covert movements.
Going forward, Ukrainian forces are expected to reinforce their efforts in defending Pokrovsk, as the risk of encirclement looms larger. With supply routes under threat from Russian attacks, the tactical landscape remains fluid and dangerous for both sides.
