Pokrovsk, Lyman, Novopavlivka axes remain most critical in Ukraine's east

This is according to Viktor Trehubov, spokesperson for the Khortytsia operational and strategic grouping of troops.

Speaking on Espreso TV, Trehubov said:

"The east is the responsibility of the Khortytsia grouping. Right now, the three most critical directions are Pokrovsk, Novopavlivka, and Lyman."

According to Trehubov, over 60 assaults were recorded near Pokrovsk in the past day alone, around 30 near Lyman, and more than 20 in the Novopavlivka area — signaling immense pressure across the entire eastern line.

"In Lyman, the main flashpoint is the Serebryanske forest area. In Pokrovsk, fighting is active both east and west of the city, where Russian forces have intensified their push. In Novopavlivka, there are attempts to advance toward the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regional borders. It’s intense and heavy everywhere," he noted.

Trehubov added that while Russian forces had paused briefly on the Novopavlivka front a few days ago, they’ve now resumed their assault at full force, once again trying to pierce Ukrainian lines.

"The situation around Pokrovsk is especially tense," he said, "as Russian troops are attempting to gain a foothold northeast of the city and launch small-group attacks — mainly from the west. Moscow has committed significant manpower and equipment to this sector. Ukrainian forces are resisting with everything they have," Trehubov concluded.

• Two-thirds of the summer is already behind us, and despite loud statements about a large-scale summer offensive, the Russian troops have still not achieved any strategic breakthroughs or captured any major cities in Donbas, except for making propaganda videos about it, as in the case of Chasiv Yar.