Ukraine has reportedly sent its elite special-operations forces to Pokrovsk in a desperate attempt to stop Russia's invasion.

Kyiv says troops pushing forward near Pokrovsk, clearing nearly 250 square kilometers of enemy units - Anadolu Ajansı

Ukrainian special forces have launched a counter-offensive in Pokrovsk, using US-made Black Hawk helicopters. The goal of the operation was to reopen supply lines in the besieged city, which has held out for more than a year against a Russian offensive but now appears on the brink of capture.

While the defending army continues a heated resistance in Pokrovsk, Russia’s drones keep disrupting vital supply lines.

Russian troops thwarted an attempt by Ukrainian special forces to fly soldiers in via a helicopter to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk, Russia's defence ministry said on Saturday.

Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has said there has been no encirclement or blockade of the cities of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad in Donetsk Oblast. He has also said that a complex operation to kill and push back Russian forces in Pokrovsk is ongoing involving,

Ukraine's President Zelenskyy reported approximately 170,000 Russian troops are in Donetsk, intensifying efforts to capture Pokrovsk, though he denied the city is fully surrounded. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues long-range strikes on Russian oil infrastructure,

Heavy fighting rages in Ukraine’s east, Kyiv’s forces target Russian energy hubs and Russia’s leader ups the ante.