Dense fog in Donetsk region has weakened the capabilities of aerial reconnaissance and strike drones, which Russian troops have taken advantage of: they have advanced to Pokrovsk and are trying to surround Ukrainian units. Part of the southern districts of the city have been occupied, and the situation remains critical.
Weather conditions in the Pokrovs'k area have changed the balance on the battlefield: for several days, dense cloud cover and fog have effectively "tied the hands" of Ukrainian UAV crews. This, according to the pilot of the "Shershni Dovbush" unit with the call sign "Gus", pushed the enemy to a risky maneuver - attacks with columns of equipment where usually any movement is quickly stopped by FPV drones. Close combat continues in the city: defense units hold positions in individual buildings, while the enemy tries to enter neighboring ones, working "closely" and trying to get to the rear.
Videos have appeared on social media showing the movement of Russian groups in civilian cars and motorcycles along the southern outskirts of Pokrovsk; geolocation confirms the area of the events. Monitoring resources record the enemy's approach to most of the city's districts, which are increasingly turning into a "gray zone" - a space with unstable control.
The Russian operational goal is to squeeze Pokrovsk and neighboring Mirnograd, forming a “cauldron” threat. Ukrainian troops counterattacked on the eastern flank, disrupting attempts to close the ring, but the enemy continues to pressure logistics with drones, artillery, and sabotage groups. According to military analyst Konstantin Mashovets, the Russians are actively using infiltration by small units, sometimes in civilian or Ukrainian Army uniforms, to destabilize the defense before larger-scale strikes.
In parallel with the fighting for Pokrovsk, Russian activity continues near Kupyansk and in the Zaporizhia region. Joint Forces spokesman Viktor Tregubov assures that there is no talk of "surrounding Kupyansk," but the situation there is tense and dynamic.
