Ukraine has largely been driven out of Kurakhove, a battered but strategic town in the Donbas, Russia said. Kyiv’s forces were pressing a renewed offensive in southern Russia.

The occupying Russian forces, which have a significant advantage over the Ukrainians, are intensively fighting to encircle Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, according to Viktor Trehubov, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Chortytsia group,

The Russian army is attempting to gain a foothold in villages near Pokrovsk and advance further. In this way, the Russians aim to encircle the city partially, RBC-Ukraine reports, citing Viktor Trehubov,