Ukraine battles fierce Russian assaults, says Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Kiev’s forces are facing intense battles around the eastern city of Pokrovsk, a key logistics hub where Russia has claimed near-daily gains.

In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy said top commander Oleksandr Syrskyi briefed senior officials and confirmed that Pokrovsk is now the main focus of military operations.

"All operational directions were covered, with particular focus on Pokrovsk. It receives the most attention," Zelenskiy said.

He added that Ukrainian troops are also "continuing to act" in the northern Sumy region, where Russian forces have recently advanced across the border.

Syrskyi, in a separate statement on Telegram, named Pokrovsk and five other sectors as the most difficult fronts across the 1,000-kilometre frontline.

"The Russian Federation is paying the maximum price for attempting a 'summer offensive'," he said.

Russian troops have been advancing toward Pokrovsk for months.

The city, once home to about 60,000 people, is a vital road and rail hub and hosts Ukraine’s only coking coal mine, essential for its steel industry.

Most civilians have already been evacuated.

On Thursday, Russia’s Defence Ministry announced the capture of Zvirove to the west and Novoekonomichne to the east of Pokrovsk. Earlier in the week, it claimed to have "liberated" Novotoretske nearby.

Ukraine’s military has not confirmed any territorial losses. In its evening report, the General Staff said Russian forces were actively attacking in the areas around Zvirove and Novoekonomichne.

Meanwhile, in the Sumy region, where Russia is attempting to establish what President Vladimir Putin has called a "buffer zone," Ukrainian forces have reportedly regained ground.

Military blog DeepState, which uses open-source intelligence, said Ukrainian troops retook the village of Kindrativka.

There has been no official confirmation from Ukrainian or Russian authorities.

Tough negotiations expected

Meanwhile, Russia has warned that talks with Ukraine in Istanbul next week will be "very difficult," dampening expectations of progress after over three years of war.

Delegations from both countries departed for Istanbul with negotiations expected to begin in the evening.

Previous meetings in May and June resulted only in prisoner exchanges and transfers of soldiers’ remains.

"It will be very difficult," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, noting no one expects an easy path forward.

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Source: TRT