Russian forces are closing in on the strategic eastern Ukrainian town of Pokrovsk, according to open-source battlefield maps. This development raises doubts about Ukraine's hopes that its new offensive into western Russia would prompt Moscow to scale back its attacks elsewhere on the battlefield. The capture of Pokrovsk would bring Russia closer to its goal of seizing the entire Donetsk region. Despite Ukrainian forces' successful incursion into Russia's western Kursk region, they are still losing ground on their own territory. The situation in Pokrovsk is dire, with the military administration urging residents to evacuate. While Ukraine's offensive into Russia has not led to a letup in Russian attacks in the Donetsk region, Ukrainian troops have made marginal advances in the Kursk region. However, they are facing greater resistance from reinforced Russian forces. The fight for Pokrovsk is expected to be intense, with Ukrainian troops preparing to defend the city using defensive lines of trenches and anti-armored-vehicle ditches. The city's military administration has urged residents to leave, emphasizing that evacuation is the only chance to save themselves and their loved ones.