Ukraine's President Zelensky asserts strength in Kursk region, as Ukrainian forces succeed in destroying a second bridge.
Fighting persists in the Kursk region, where Ukraine has been progressing since initiating its unexpected border breach a week ago. However, Ukraine is still under strain in its occupied east.
The Kursk offensive has caused Russia significant challenges in defending its own territory. It appears that Kyiv has several objectives with this attack, ranging from boosting morale following a tough period to draining Russia's resources. A Ukrainian presidential advisor stated that the incursion aimed to establish a "fair" negotiation process.
The influence of Kyiv in Kursk is growing, and Zelensky declared, "We are reinforcing our positions."
In an attempt to undermine Moscow's logistical capabilities, Ukrainian forces declared on Sunday that they had destroyed another bridge over the Seim river in the Kursk region using "precision air strikes."
"Our Air Force aviation is continuously crippling the enemy's logistics with precise air strikes, which significantly impacts the battlefield situation," Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykolaiv Oleshchuk posted on social media, accompanied by a video showing smoke billowing from the bridge.
This destruction comes two days after Ukrainian forces demolished another bridge over the Seim. Russia's foreign ministry claimed that Ukraine had utilized Western rockets to execute this strike, which were likely US-made HIMARS.
The Ukrainian monitoring group DeepState reported on Sunday that Kyiv was making further progress in the Kursk region and shared a still image from a video, identified by CNN, of what was claimed to be a Ukrainian Defense Forces tank in the village of Olgovka, located approximately 20 km (12 miles) north of the town of Sudzha.
Kyiv's forces seized control of Sudzha after launching their border breach earlier this month and have established a Ukrainian military command post there.
The Ukrainian military claims to have seized over 1,000 square kilometers of Russian territory during the ongoing incursion in the southwestern region.
Russian forces approaching Pokrovsk in Donetsk region
Meanwhile, Russian forces are pushing further in eastern Ukraine, where Kyiv has been under pressure all year.
Russia's army has moved closer to the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk region, which serves as a crucial base for the Ukrainian military due to its proximity to the town of Kostiantynivka, another military stronghold. Ukraine utilizes the road linking the two to resupply the front lines and evacuate casualties.
"The Russians are approaching, they are now 11 kilometers away from Pokrovsk's outskirts. The town is preparing," Serhii Dobriak, the head of Pokrovsk city military administration, said Sunday.
"Every town in Donetsk region has a military unit assigned to it, and defense plans have been devised. We are working with the military to construct fortifications. This is an ongoing process," Dobriak said.
The evacuation of civilians from Pokrovsk has been expedited due to the approach of Russian forces, he said. Over the past week, nearly 1,800 people have been evacuated from the city, while until recently 450-500 residents were being evacuated monthly.
"The Russians are destroying our towns and villages, killing civilians, so we need to prioritize our safety and evacuate," Dobriak said. "Currently, the town is being bombarded by missiles, MLRS, and there have been numerous guided aerial bomb attacks."
All facilities are operating in the area, including shops, farmers' markets, pharmacies, banks, and ATMs. Courts and administrative service centers are also functional, Dobriak said.
Intense fighting is taking place around the villages of Pivnichne and Zalizne in Donetsk region, located about 40 miles east of Pokrovsk, where Russian forces launched a "massive assault" Sunday morning, Ukraine's General Staff said.
"The Russian invaders, supported by an armored group of 12 vehicles, attempted to breach Ukrainian military positions and advance towards Toretsk," the General Staff said, referring to another strategic town that could potentially open the way for Russian forces to advance towards Kostiantynivka, Kramatorsk, and Sloviansk.
Over the course of the week, Russia has utilized more than 40 missiles of various types, 750 guided aerial bombs, and 200 strike UAVs of various types against Ukrainian cities and villages, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday.
"For such terror, the aggressor must be held accountable before the courts and history. They are already facing the might of our warriors," Zelensky said.
The Kursk offensive has garnered global attention, with many countries expressing concern about the escalating conflict in Europe. The World Health Organization has also voiced its concern over the impact of the conflict on civilians' access to healthcare services in the affected regions.
In light of the developments in Ukraine, various international organizations have called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, emphasizing the importance of upholding international law and respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity.
