Russia says its forces have pushed deeper into the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, with one video on Tuesday showing Russian soldiers rolling into it on motorbikes and on the roofs of battered cars and vans amid thick fog.

Ukraine's military reports 256 combat clashes, with intense fighting in Pokrovsk. Russia claims retaliatory strikes after Ukrainian drones hit an oil depot. North Korean troops are reportedly assisting Russia with demining operations in Kursk.

Vladimir Putin's forces are closing in on the strategically important eastern city, after 21 months of bitter fighting.

Losing the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk won’t necessarily be the death knell for Ukraine’s defense — but it’s likely to be used as a messaging tool by both Moscow and Kyiv as they try to convince the Trump administration to stick with their respective sides.

The battle for Pokrovsk is crucial for control of Ukraine's Donetsk region. Russian and Ukrainian forces are deeply entrenched, sometimes fighting for the same buildings.

Ukrainian forces in the Pokrovsk and Ocheretyne sectors continue to inflict significant losses on the enemy and to contain its movements. — Ukrinform.

Russian forces appear to be on the brink of finally seizing the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a symbolic victory that President Vladimir Putin has been pursuing for 21 months at an increasingly heavy cost.

RUSSIAN forces are pushing hard to capture Pokrovsk in the biggest battle of the Ukraine war – with more than 150,000 soldiers set to storm the fortress city. Brave Ukrainian forces continue

Russian forces are attempting to advance toward apartment buildings in Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad in the Donetsk region. The Ukrainian military command has already prepared measures to counter such enemy plans,