Escalation of Battles on Pokrovsk Front as Ukraine Diverts Russian Forces

Russian forces increased their attacks on the Pokrovsk front in eastern Ukraine, marking the highest number of battles in a single day within a week. This escalation follows Ukraine's cross-border incursion into Russia's Kursk region. Ukrainian forces reported 52 battles, mostly around Hrodivka and Zhelanne villages.

Russian forces stepped up their attacks on the Pokrovsk front in eastern Ukraine over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian military reported on Tuesday, noting the highest number of battles in the area in a single day within a week.

This surge in fighting follows Ukraine's surprising cross-border incursion into Russia's Kursk region, which some military analysts interpret as an effort to divert Russian troops from their main offensives in the east.

The Ukrainian military's General Staff disclosed that there had been 52 battles on the Pokrovsk front, a noticeable increase compared to the 28 to 42 battles reported daily the previous week.

The intensified battles mainly took place around the villages of Hrodivka and Zhelanne, approximately 20 kilometers from Pokrovsk, accounting for more than a third of all reported conflicts along a 1,000-kilometer front.

Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022, now controls 18% of Ukrainian territory. Prior to Ukraine's unexpected attack on Russia, Ukrainian forces had been gradually losing territory to Russian advances.

(With inputs from agencies.)