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 states that weather conditions, particularly dense fog, have prompted Moscow to intensify its efforts to encircle Ukrainian forces in the ruined city.
After over a year of attempts to seize control of the city, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remarked that the fog has given an advantage to Russian attacks, complicating the situation on the ground.
Army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi warned that the condition on the front line in the southeastern Zaporzhzhia region has significantly worsened, with the loss of three settlements.
Syrskyi noted that Russia is particularly active in and around Pokrovsk, with viral footage showing Russian soldiers maneuvering through fog on civilian vehicles, indicating a change in operational tactics.
A drone pilot from the Ukrainian side mentioned that visibility issues have hindered aerial reconnaissance, emboldening Russian forces to launch assaults, which would typically be intercepted by drones if visibility were clearer.
Currently, approximately 300 Russian soldiers are reported to be stationed in Pokrovsk, indicating a potential increase from figures shared by Zelensky last week, suggesting a looming threat of encirclement.
The ongoing conflict sees both sides grappling with control, as most of the city now lies in a disputed grey zone. While Ukrainian forces defend key positions, Russian troops continuously seek to infiltrate, making the situation precarious.
Moscow's strategy involves cutting off supply routes supporting Ukrainian defenses, with tactics that include sending soldiers disguised as locals or Ukrainian military personnel to sow discord and confusion, with the main forces then advancing.
As Russian forces expand their operations across multiple fronts, including Kupyansk and Zapporizhzhya, tensions continue to escalate in this vital region of Ukraine.
