Heavy Fighting Erupts Near Pokrovsk as Russian Forces Intensify Assaults

Russian military forces have intensified their attacks near the strategic eastern city of Pokrovsk, according to Ukraine's military officials. The General Staff reported that the fighting in this region is the most intense in the ongoing conflict, with Ukrainian troops successfully repelling 52 Russian assaults in just the last 24 hours. Pokrovsk, which serves as a vital transport hub, is crucial for supplying Ukrainian-held areas, including Chasiv Yar and Kostiantynivka. The Russian defense ministry claimed on Sunday that its forces had captured the villages of Prohres and Yevhenivka, located east of Pokrovsk. However, Ukrainian officials have not confirmed these assertions. The ongoing conflict, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, has seen Moscow occupy nearly one-fifth of Ukraine. While Ukrainian forces initially pushed back Russian troops from Kyiv and reclaimed territory in 2022, they have largely been on the defensive since a counteroffensive faltered earlier this year. In a related development, a spokesperson for the German foreign ministry stated that Germany would not be intimidated by threats from Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding a potential missile crisis reminiscent of the Cold War. Putin warned that if the U.S. deployed long-range missiles in Germany, Russia would respond by positioning similar missiles within striking distance of the West. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Vovchansk area in northeastern Kharkiv, where Russian forces have been attempting to advance since May. He expressed his support for Ukrainian Special Forces, presenting them with state awards during his visit.