Russian Troops Continue to Advance into Pokrovsk and Kupiansk Amid Fog-Blurred Frontline Movements

Russian military forces have continued to push deeper into the eastern Ukrainian cities of and Kupiansk, with recent video footage capturing troops moving through fog-drenched streets in what has been described as a “Mad Max”-style operation. The imagery, shared across social media platforms and verified by independent media outlets, shows Russian soldiers utilizing a mix of motorbikes, civilian vehicles, and even the roofs of battered cars to infiltrate the urban terrain.

The strategic city of Pokrovsk, located in the Donetsk region, remains a focal point for both sides. Moscow has consistently described the city as a critical gateway to Donetsk, essential for any further northward movement toward Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. Russia has been attempting to secure Pokrovsk for over a year, employing a pincer movement to isolate and encircle the city without relying solely on large-scale frontal assaults, unlike previous offensives such as the one at Bakhmut in 2023.

, with Moscow reportedly increasing troop infiltration in recent days. The fog has played a key role in this advancement, limiting visibility and hampering Ukrainian drone reconnaissance efforts. A drone pilot from the , who goes by the call sign “Goose,” noted that the dense fog has enabled Russian forces to move in larger groups than would typically be possible, with some of these incursions partially repelled but not fully observed.

The viral video, which appears to have been filmed on the southern outskirts of Pokrovsk along the Selidove-Pokrovsk highway, was confirmed by the BBC and Reuters as genuine in terms of location, based on infrastructure and geographic features. While the exact time of the footage remains unverified, it is clear that Russian forces have made further inroads into the city, with reports indicating that most areas are now in a contested “grey zone” where neither side fully controls the terrain.

Ukraine’s military leadership, including top commander , has acknowledged deteriorating conditions in the Zaporizhzhia region and has emphasized the ongoing challenge of repelling Russian assaults. has stated that the situation remains difficult, particularly due to weather conditions that favor the attackers. According to Syrskyi, , a significant escalation in military assets compared to earlier reports.

Russian forces have also claimed control of parts of Kupiansk, including an oil depot and several train stops in the surrounding area. While Kyiv disputes the extent of Russian territorial gains, open-source mapping efforts confirm that Russia has executed a pincer movement around Pokrovsk and is nearing a full encirclement. Despite these developments, Ukraine continues to assert its ability to supply troops in nearby areas, including , although recent counterattacks near Dobropillia suggest the front remains fluid.

The urban battlefield in Pokrovsk has seen intense fighting, . Ukrainian forces, though outnumbered, continue to engage in localized resistance. The situation underscores the shifting dynamics of urban warfare in 2025, with both sides adapting to fog-enshrouded conditions and unconventional mobility tactics.