Russia Pulling Troops To Kursk, But Crucial Povrovsk Could Fall Soon

Wires carrying comments from Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi regarding the situation both in the Donbas and in Russia's Kursk oblast. Syrskyi claims that Russia has 'decreased activity in the south as it pulled troops to Kursk'.He also says the situation on the Pokrovsk front 'is difficult' and that 'Russia is trying to disrupt Ukrainian supply routes [and] boosting their forces in [the] sector'. Syrskyi claims that Ukrainian forces continue to advance in Russia's Kursk oblast and that they now control 100 settlements.

• Thebattle for Pokrovsk, now seen as being likely to fall to Russian forces, risks dealing a major blow to Ukraine's ability to hold on in the Donbas, given its crucial strategic position.
• As the BBC reports, Pokrovsk "plays a crucial role as a logistics hub used by Ukrainian forces in the eastern region of Donbas. It is home to a key railway station, and it is located at the intersection of several important roads."
• Comes as Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov claims that US involvement in the Kursk incursion is 'a fact'. Adds that Russia's response 'may be much tougher than earlier' (referring to massiveair raids over the past two days).
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says that Ukraine's demands on the West to allow Kyiv to use weapons to strike deep into Russia is 'blackmail'. Adds that, concerning Ukraine's calls to be able to use British Storm Shadow missiles, the West is "Playing with fire, [...] this is a very dangerous thing [for those] entrusted with nuclear weapons in one or another Western country,"