Four Russian brigades advance on Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, amid increased Russian presence near Kharkiv — Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi

Syrskyi shared the information on his official Telegram channel.

"The situation at the front has escalated. In an attempt to seize the strategic initiative and break through the front line, the enemy has focused its main efforts on several areas, creating a significant advantage in forces and means. Russia is actively attacking along the entire front line, and in some areas it is having tactical success. There is a dynamic change in the situation, some positions change hands several times during the day, which gives rise to an ambiguous understanding of the situation," the Commander-in-Chief said.

Oleksandr Syrskyi calls the situation in the direction of Pokrovsk and Kurakhove, Donetsk region, the most difficult.

He confirms the retreat of Ukrainian defenders from the villages of Berdychi, Semenivka and Novomykhailivka.

"The situation is most difficult in the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove directions where fierce fighting continues. The enemy has deployed up to four brigades in these areas and is trying to develop an offensive west of Avdiivka and Marinka, making its way to Pokrovsk and Kurakhove. Ukrainian Defense Forces units have moved to new frontiers west of Berdychiv, Semenivka and Novomykhailivka, saving the lives and health of our defenders. Overall, the enemy achieved some tactical success in these areas, but failed to gain an operational advantage. Ukrainian troops are inflicting maximum losses on the enemy, both in personnel and military equipment. To strengthen the defense in these areas, to replace the units that suffered losses, we are relocating brigades that have regained combat capability," explains Syrskyi.

On the evening of Saturday, April 27, the non-governmental monitoring project DeepState was the first to report the occupation of Berdychiv, Donetsk region, by Russian troops.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces also addressed the threat in the Kharkiv direction, noting the increase in the number and regrouping of Russian troops in that area.

"In the most threatening areas, our troops have been reinforced with artillery and tank units," Oleksandr Syrskyi summarized.

• Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov was the first Russian official to confirm Putin's goal of capturing Kharkiv openly.