Situation deteriorates in both Kurakhove and Pokrovsk directions - military expert

He shared the information on Espreso TV.

"In the Kupyansk and Kupyansk-Vuzlovyi areas, it is a good thing that one of the two bridgeheads previously captured by the Russians has been completely reclaimed, and Ukrainian forces are now pressing on the other. This is important because, looking at the Kupyansk direction and Kharkiv region, two groupings have formed. The northern one is around Kupyansk and Kupyansk-Vuzlovyi, where the fighting is taking place (the Ukrainian Defense Forces liberated Novomlynsk in the Kupyansk district). To the south, we see that Russians are trying to semi-encircle and push toward the river, storming the area of Borova in an attempt to close off and form a southern grouping for further actions. Ukrainian defenders are destroying these plans, and the fighting continues, with its intensity increasing," he said.

Ihor Romanenko also noted that the Russian forces were attacking Chasiv Yar from different directions.

"Russia is attacking along the front, not only from the Kalynivka area in the north and Ivanske in the south, but also directly in the well-known neighborhoods: Novyi, Zhovtnevy in the city. The situation is still under control, partly due to Ukrainian defenders holding positions to the south of Chasiv Yar, around Avdiivka. In Toretsk, fighting is ongoing directly in the city, and a significant threat remains. In the Kurakhove sector, battles are taking place for the city center. To the south of Kurakhove, our deeper penetration is shrinking. Ukrainian troops continue conducting difficult rear-guard actions, inflicting damage on Russian weapons, equipment, and personnel while attempting to withdraw gradually without losing many forces," said the general.

According to him, the situation is also worsening in the Pokrovsk sector.

"Overall, the situation is deteriorating not only directly in the Kurakhove region but also in Pokrovsk. As we discussed some time ago, Russia failed to capture Pokrovsk more than two months ago. They regrouped and are gradually continuing their offensive from the south. After capturing Vuhledar, the battles are now taking place in the Kurakhove area. However, the main goal in this region is Pokrovsk, and intense fighting is also taking place in this sector," Ihor Romanenko said.

• Russian forces attempted to seize and hold a bridgehead on the right bank of the Oskil River in the Kharkiv region. The Ukrainian Defense Forces pushed them back.