Russia Advances Around Kupiansk; Ukraine Airlifts to Pokrovsk

Ukrainian forces airlifted a special-operations team into Pokrovsk in Black Hawk helicopters in an apparent attempt to reopen supply lines, with video showing 11 soldiers disembarking and Ukrainian officials saying GUR chief Kyrylo Budanov directed the operation nearby. The Russian defence ministry said it defeated the landing and “eliminated” all 11, while Ukrainian sources called that claim propaganda and said a stabilization mission was ongoing; independent verification was not possible. Fighting around nearby Hryshyne suggests Russian forces are trying to pinch off the last supply routes into Pokrovsk, which Ukraine has held for more than a year, amid heavy strikes that have degraded Ukrainian logistics; Kyiv now controls roughly 10% of Donbas. On the northeastern front, Russian troops have reportedly retaken Kupiansk after covert crossings and infiltrations — including underground approaches and civilian disguises — and are consolidating gains with drone-backed attacks and units such as the Kara‑Dag brigade. Ukrainian officials dispute claims of full encirclement in some areas, say defenses remain active and some supply lines still operate, and the overall situation on both fronts remains fluid and contested.