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 the weather conditions, particularly dense fog, have prompted Moscow to intensify its efforts to encircle Ukrainian forces in the already devastated city.
For over a year, Russian forces have attempted to seize Pokrovsk, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledges that recent foggy conditions have favored Russian attacks, contributing to an increasingly difficult situation for Ukrainian defenders.
Army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi has warned of a significantly worsened situation along the southeastern front in the Zaporzhzhia region, with three settlements lost to Russian advances.
Syrskyi indicated that Russian activity is concentrated around Pokrovsk, where a viral social media video shows Russian soldiers navigating a foggy road in civilian vehicles and motorbikes. The BBC has verified this video as filmed on the southern outskirts of the town.
Ukrainian drone pilot from the 68th brigade shared that the persistent fog has obscured visibility for aerial reconnaissance operations. This lack of surveillance has led Russian forces to feel more emboldened to launch assaults, utilizing a column of vehicles that would typically be targeted immediately by Ukrainian drones.
The 7th Corps estimates that around 300 Russian soldiers are now in Pokrovsk, although that number may have increased since initial reports. As the situation remains fluid, the mapping by the Ukraine-based DeepState monitoring group indicates Russian troops are consolidating control over many parts of the city.
Ukrainian forces are now facing the threat of encirclement, commonly referred to as a cauldron, where Russian troops are attempting to cut off supply routes essential for sustaining the defenders of Pokrovsk. The Ukrainian military is actively working to repel these assaults while managing the complex dynamics of urban warfare where infiltration tactics by Russian forces have created confusion and chaos.
While Russia ramps up pressure in Pokrovsk, they are also attempting to extend their reach in northern regions like Kupyansk and southern areas including Zaporzhzhya, creating a multi-front challenge for Ukrainian defenses.
