Ukraine War: Russian Advance in Pokrovsk, Evacuations in Zaporizhzhia

Evacuations in Zaporizhzhia

• evacuations of residents from Huliaipole and nearby villages in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region were conducted by police and humanitarians.
• ⚠️ Civilians, including the elderly and immobile, were evacuated amidst threats from attack drones and ongoing shelling.

Russian Advance in Pokrovsk

• 🎯 Russian forces have reportedly entered the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, described by Russian media as the gateway to Donetsk.
• 🌫️ The advance occurred in dense fog, with Russian soldiers seen entering the city on motorbikes and vehicles.
• 📍 Moscow aims to use Pokrovsk as a platform to drive north towards Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, two major Ukrainian-controlled cities.

Ukrainian Military Response

• 🛡️ Ukraine's military stated they had pulled back troops from near a settlement on the southeastern front but have halted further Russian advances in the area.
• ⚔️ Ukrainian forces are actively battling Russian groups within Pokrovsk, with approximately 300 Russian soldiers reported inside the city.
• 📊 Both sides have provided conflicting accounts of the battle, and Reuters could not independently verify the reports.

Territorial Control

• 📈 Russia claims to control over 19% of Ukraine, with Ukrainian maps showing Russian control at 19.1%, an increase from previous figures.