The battlefield situation in Ukraine worsened significantly on Thursday as Russian forces accelerated their offensive, storming multiple strategically important cities across a broad front.
In Pokrovsk, a key logistics hub for Ukrainian forces in the Donbas region, Russian troops were confirmed to have seized the southern suburbs of Leontovychi and Troyanda. The advance places Russian forces firmly on the southwestern edge of the city, consolidating their control over much of the surrounding territory.
Earlier this week, videos circulating online showed Russian reconnaissance and diversionary groups (DRG) operating freely in central Pokrovsk, reportedly encountering no resistance from Ukrainian defenders—underscoring the depth of the Ukrainian retreat.
Further north in the Kharkov region, Russian troops have entered the northern districts of the city of Kupyansk. Kupyansk, initially captured by Russian forces during the early days of the 2022 invasion, was later retaken by Ukraine in a major counteroffensive that autumn. Since then, it has served as a major logistics center for Ukrainian forces operating in the region and east of the Oskil River, which divides the city. The re-capture of Kupyansk could allow Russia to regain significant territory lost in 2022 and cut off Ukrainian units positioned east of the river.
In the south, Russian forces have taken control of the village of Plavni along the Dnipro River in the Zaporizhia region and have now begun their assault on the nearby town of Stepnohirsk. These developments follow Russia’s recent capture of Kamianske, a frontline town that had held out for nearly three years. Its fall opened up another axis of attack for Russian forces.
If Stepnohirsk is taken, Russian artillery will be within range of southern Zaporizhia city, and Russian forces will be able to surveil and potentially disrupt Ukrainian supply routes with drones and precision strikes.
Ukraine’s deteriorating battlefield position has been compounded by growing political unrest in Kiev. President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent move to strip two major anti-corruption agencies of their independence has sparked protests at home and criticism from Western allies.
On Thursday, The Telegraph—a staunchly pro-Ukrainian outlet in the British media—published a headline that read, “For Ukraine’s sake, Zelensky must now step aside,” signaling a notable shift in Western narrative. The rare rebuke comes after over three years of consistent support from Western media and near-total suppression of domestic dissent in Ukraine.