Russia Resumes Offensive Near Pokrovsk, Advances Continue Elsewhere

The Russian Defense Ministry announced Sunday that its forces had taken control of the town of Yelyzavetivka, located in the Donetsk region, southeast of the key logistical hubs of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad.

Last year, Russian troops made notable gains in central Donbas after capturing the frontline fortress city of Avdiivka, reaching the outskirts of Pokrovsk by October. However, progress had stalled in recent months as Russia shifted its focus to other areas along the front.

Yelyzavetivka lies just south of the T0504 highway, a major supply route for Ukrainian forces in the Donbas. While Russian units have launched raids and can shell Ukrainian military traffic along the road, they have not yet physically blocked it. The T0504 connects Pokrovsk with the city of Kostyantynivka, which is also under threat as fighting nears its outskirts.

Further south, intense fighting continues near the city of Toretsk—recently captured by Russian forces—which lies just below Kostyantynivka. This part of the front has remained relatively static in recent months.

Some Ukrainian analysts suggest that Russia may be preparing for a large-scale spring offensive, and these recent advances could indicate it is already underway.

In the Sumy region, Russian forces are also pressing toward the city of Sumy itself. On Sunday morning, a missile strike hit a military awards ceremony, reportedly killing several attendees. Russian troops appear intent on cutting off the Sumy-Kursk highway, aiming to isolate remaining Ukrainian units still fighting along the border.

This comes amid reports that President Trump is growing increasingly frustrated with stalled peace talks and internal divisions within his administration over whether to offer concessions to Russia.