Russian forces advance on Pokrovsk, gateway to control of Ukraine’s northern Donbas In this video, Meduza breaks down the latest developments on the battlefield

Heavy fighting between Ukrainian and Russian troops in the southern Donbas is nearing its end as a new major battle begins in the region’s center. This year, the Russian army apparently plans to break through to Kramatorsk and Sloviansk from both the south and the north. However, this operation will require significant reserves, many of which are currently tied up on the Kursk front. In this video, Meduza looks at the war’s key frontlines near Velyka Novosilka, Kupiansk, Kurakhove, the Kursk region, and the Pokrovsk area, where Russian forces are now advancing. Capturing Pokrovsk would pave the way for Russian troops to push toward the Dnipro River and further north in the Donetsk region. This is a video version of our weekly military report. Meduza has been publishing these updates since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.