Ukraine Reinforces Pokrovsk Defenses Amid Russian Strikes

Ukraine has deployed the Kara-Dag Brigade to bolster defenses around Pokrovsk, a key logistics hub, as Russian forces make advances in the region. Despite the reinforcements, Russian troops continue their offensive, recently capturing a settlement in the Donbas sector, raising concerns about Ukraine's strategic allocation of its military resources. In response to Ukrainian incursions into Kursk Oblast, Russia is forming volunteer units, including the BARS-Kursk unit, indicating its manpower challenges and defensive posture in border areas. Ukrainian Air Force reports also highlight a series of Russian missile and drone strikes, which injured nearly 100 people in Kharkiv and damaged buildings in Cherkasy. Meanwhile, defense experts note that while Russia prioritizes the Pokrovsk axis, it has also had to divert some efforts to address the Ukrainian offensive in Kursk. This ongoing conflict underscores the high-stakes military dynamics and territorial disputes in eastern Ukraine.