New strikes deep inside Russia and Pokrovsk: Zelenskyy holds briefing with Commander-in-Chief

Zelenskyy said the most difficult situation remains in the Pokrovsk direction and in the Zaporizhzhia region, where the Russian army is increasing the intensity and scale of its assaults. He noted that current weather conditions favor enemy attacks, yet Ukrainian units continue to destroy Russian forces.

"I thank every one of our units, every warrior involved in defending Ukraine's positions," Zelenskyy emphasized.

Meanwhile, the situation in the Kupiansk direction has somewhat improved. According to Zelenskyy, there are results in favor of Ukrainian forces, and this trend has persisted for several weeks.

The President and Syrskyi also discussed the performance of Ukraine's long-range strike systems.

"Ukrainian long-range sanctions must take effect every day, and we are making that happen," Zelenskyy said.

Battles for Pokrovsk

The Pokrovsk direction has long remained one of the hottest sections of the front. Fierce fighting is currently underway in the Donetsk region over Pokrovsk.

According to the morning report from the General Staff, over the past day, Ukrainian defenders repelled 63 attacks by Russian forces in the areas of Pankivka, Shakhove, Chervonyi Lyman, Rodynske, Mykhailivka, Novoekonomichne, Myrnohrad, Novopavlivka, Rivne, Lysivka, Pokrovsk, Kotlyne, Udachne, Molodetske, Filiia, and Dachne.

Earlier, Major Andriy Kovalov, spokesperson for the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, told RBC-Ukraine that Ukrainian units are confidently holding their positions and inflicting significant losses on the Russian army within Pokrovsk’s urban areas.

The Armed Forces acknowledge that the situation in Pokrovsk remains difficult: Russian forces are already in the town, though they are being actively driven out. It is also noted that Russian troops have entered the urban area, attempting to create conditions for a complete encirclement of Ukrainian forces in the town.