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 says weather conditions, particularly dense fog, have prompted Moscow to intensify its bid to get increasing numbers into the ruined city and encircle Ukrainian forces.
Russian forces have spent more than a year trying to seize the city, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky states that the fog has favored Russian attacks, making the situation increasingly challenging.
Army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi has warned that the situation on the front line in the southeastern Zaporzhzhia region has significantly worsened, with the loss of three settlements.
Syrskyi emphasized that Russia is most active around Pokrovsk. A viral video shows Russian soldiers driving through a hazy road on civilian vehicles, raising alarms about their advancing numbers.
A drone pilot from the "Shershni Dovbusha" unit of the 68th brigade explained that extended periods of fog hampered aerial reconnaissance, enabling the Russians to advance with vehicle columns that would usually be targeted by Ukrainian drones.
The Ukrainian forces have reportedly detected and eliminated small Russian groups trying to advance, with some success, despite the challenging visibility conditions.
Recent estimates suggest that around 300 Russian soldiers are currently in Pokrovsk, a figure that has likely increased according to recent intelligence updates.
The city is now largely in a contested area, with neither side fully controlling it. Tensions are escalating as Russian forces attempt to encircle Pokrovsk and surrounding towns, creating a larger 'cauldron' strategy for potential encirclements.
The grim situation underscores the ongoing volatility of the region, where the war's dynamics are rapidly shifting amidst weather factors and tactical movements.
