Heavy Fighting in Pokrovsk as Russia Pushes Forward

In the eastern city of Pokrovsk, Ukrainian troops are holding their ground against a significant Russian attack. This clash is happening while the United States is pushing for a deal to stop the war. Russia has been trying to take over Pokrovsk for months, seeing it as a key part of their plan to control the entire Donbas region. Russia claims they now control all of Pokrovsk, but Ukraine says they still hold the northern part of the city. The fighting there has been intense. On Wednesday, Ukraine's 7th Rapid Response Corps reported that Russian forces used armored vehicles, cars, and motorcycles to try and break through from the south to the north. A source from the 7th Rapid Response Corps said this was the largest attack of its kind inside the city, with around 30 vehicles involved. Earlier, Russia had only used one or two vehicles to support their troops. The bad weather did not stop the Ukrainian forces from pushing back the Russian advance. Footage shared by the 7th Corps showed heavy vehicles stuck in snow and mud, along with drone attacks on Russian troops and explosions. If Russia takes Pokrovsk, it would be their biggest win in Ukraine in nearly two years. This latest push by Russia adds more pressure on Kyiv. Ukrainian officials are resisting a U. S. -backed peace proposal, which many see as favoring Moscow. In nearby Myrnohrad, where Russian forces are tightening their grip, an operation is underway to expand a logistics corridor.