Russian activity increasing around key Ukrainian town, army chief says

Russian activity around the key Ukrainian town of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region is escalating, with reports of advances and infantry massing in the area. Ukrainian army chief General Oleksandr Syrskyi refuted claims of a "blockade" by Russian forces but acknowledged a challenging situation and emphasized the priority of preserving soldiers' lives. The capture of Pokrovsk could enable Russian forces to advance further into the region, posing a significant threat to Ukrainian control of strategic cities like Kramatorsk and Sloviansk in eastern Ukraine.