MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed on Monday that Russian forces are advancing rapidly in eastern Ukraine, capturing several square kilometers per day as they attempt to breach Ukrainian defensive lines.
Putin noted the increased pace of Russian advances in the Donbas region, stating that Russian troops are now controlling territory in larger increments than previously. He made these remarks during a visit to Secondary School No. 20 in Kyzyl, Tuva.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy acknowledged the challenges faced by Ukrainian forces, especially near Pokrovsk, but reported no further Russian progress in the past two days. Despite the Ukrainian counter-offensive in Russia’s southern Kursk region starting on August 6, Russian forces have continued to push through eastern Ukraine towards the strategically important city of Pokrovsk.
Zelenskiy, speaking in Zaporizhzhia alongside Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, confirmed that there had been no recent advances by Russian troops in the Pokrovsk sector. The situation around Pokrovsk remains fluid, with intense fighting reported in nearby settlements like Selydove and Ukrainsk.
Russian state news agency TASS reported that Ukrainian forces had been pushed out of part of Selydove and that Russian troops have taken control of the village of Skuchne, east of Pokrovsk. The Ukrainian General Staff reported ongoing combat around Selydove and Russian attacks on Ukrainsk.
As Russian forces push south towards Kurakhivka, they aim to break through Ukrainian defenses, exert control over the Pokrovsk-Donetsk road, and encircle significant areas.
