Humiliation for Putin as Ukraine cuts Russian frontline in half hours after Trump summit

In recent days, Pokrovsk in Donetsk has become the center of some of the fiercest battles in Ukraine. Just last week, Russian troops pushed through thin Ukrainian defenses near Dobropillia, advancing nearly six miles behind the front line in only two days. Their goal was to cut off both Pokrovsk and Kramatorsk, two vital strongholds in the Donbas still under Ukraine’s control.

However, Ukraine’s counteroffensive has shifted momentum. Within the past 24–48 hours, Ukrainian forces managed to reclaim several lost positions. According to battlefield reports, units have pushed Russian troops back from Rubizhne, Zolotyi Kolodiaz, Vesele, Vilne Shakhove, Nikanorivka, and Sukhotske.

The Ukrainian National Guard’s 1st Corps played a leading role in this fightback, inflicting heavy casualties on Russian forces. They destroyed a tank, took out two infantry fighting vehicles, and disabled dozens of light vehicles and artillery pieces. President Zelensky personally praised their efforts, saying Ukraine has made “successes in some extremely difficult areas in the Donetsk region” and confirmed that operations to push Russian forces further back are still ongoing.

Analysts note that Russia has adjusted its strategy over the past year to compensate for Ukraine’s shortages in manpower and weapons. Instead of storming cities directly, Russian troops focus on encircling maneuvers. They advance along the flanks, allowing drone operators to disrupt Ukrainian supply lines before launching multi-directional assaults. This leaves Ukrainian defenders with a hard choice: hold their ground and risk being surrounded, or retreat to safer positions.

The fighting around Pokrovsk shows just how dynamic and unpredictable this war remains. While Russia’s tactics are evolving, Ukraine’s resilience and counterattacks highlight that the struggle is far from one-sided.