British intelligence reviews combat dynamics in Donetsk and Kursk regions
Photo: British intelligence analyzed the fighting (Getty Images)
In the past two weeks, the advance of Russian troops towards Pokrovsk has been minimal. Meanwhile, Russia has once again deployed troops from North Korea to the front lines in the Kursk region, according to the British Ministry of Defense on X.
Analysts recalled that on February 20, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin claimed that soldiers from the Russian 810th Brigade had allegedly crossed into the Sumy region from the Kursk region. This information has not been confirmed.
"Ukrainian forces are likely maintain control of approximately 400 - 450 sq km in Kursk," the British intelligence reported.
The UK also indicated that North Korean forces have returned to the front lines in the Kursk region. This came after a temporary withdrawal, likely due to the fact that more than a third of the 11,000 North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region had been killed or wounded.
The intelligence emphasized that Russia is exerting the most pressure in the Donetsk region. Russian troops continue to attack key cities — Pokrovsk, Chasiv Yar, and Toretsk — and are also trying to advance into less urbanized areas in the southern part of the front, north and northwest of Velyka Novosilka.
"Russian advances towards the key Donetsk logistical hub of Pokrovsk have been minimal in the last two weeks. Ukrainian forces are highly likely contesting Pishchane, an outskirt town 5 km southwest of Pokrovsk, with overall control being unclear at the present time," the report stated.
It is worth noting that last week, the spokesperson for the Khortytsia Operational-Strategic Group of Forces confirmed that Ukrainian troops had liberated the village of Pishchane near Pokrovsk. Russian forces were also pushed back from several other nearby settlements.
According to the spokesperson, there has been a certain "turning point" in the Pokrovsk direction.
On the eve of this, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported improvements in the situation in the Pokrovsk area, but he did not provide further details.
