The Ukrainian military has reported a sharp escalation in Russian attacks across eastern Ukraine, with fierce battles concentrated near the strategic logistics hub of Pokrovsk. This surge comes as diplomatic talks between U.S. and Russian officials are set to take place in Saudi Arabia.
According to Ukraine’s military command, there were 261 combat engagements within 24 hours on Saturday—more than double the daily average recorded in recent days and the highest figure so far this year.
Moscow’s forces, which have advanced steadily through eastern Ukraine since mid-2024, are now pushing southwest of Pokrovsk, threatening critical supply routes into the embattled town.
“The intensity of the assaults indicates a significant shift in tactics,” said Viktor Trehubov, a Ukrainian military spokesperson. “It isn’t the result of something collapsing for the Russians or a new weapon arriving for Ukraine. Certain organizational changes were made to improve our forces’ effectiveness.”
Despite being on the defensive, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed optimism about recent developments, confirming that Ukrainian troops had successfully recaptured the village of Pishchane, located approximately 5 kilometers south of Pokrovsk.
The intensified fighting coincides with predictions from NATO officials that Russia will ramp up its military operations while engaging in diplomatic talks. Observers fear that the growing pressure in Pokrovsk could mark the beginning of a broader offensive across the region.
As the war enters another critical phase, both sides are bracing for further confrontations, with the fate of eastern Ukraine hanging in the balance.
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