On Tuesday, Russian war bloggers published a video showing Russian forces entering Pokrovsk along a fog-shrouded road.

The publication"Ukrainska Pravda" notes that the footage was filmed in the southern part of the city. The occupiers advanced on Pokrovska from the direction of Novopavlivka.

Russian soldiers were seen riding through the fog on motorbikes, some on the roofs of wrecked cars and vans, with some Telegram users saying it resembled scenes from the Mad Max action film series, set in a post-apocalyptic setting.

Although social media users have been quick to ridicule this Russian strategy, Ukrainian soldiers have explained that it is an effective strategy because the fog protects the column from drone strikes.

Ukrainian defense forces attempted to attack the convoy, but fog and poor visibility made it extremely difficult.

The footage has prompted speculation that the key city in Donbass has already been captured. However, the city's defenders say fighting is still ongoing in the city.

Reuters notes that the date of the video has not yet been confirmed. It is believed to have been filmed this week, having appeared online on Monday.

Took advantage of the dense fog

With the help of dense fog, the occupiers are gradually gaining ground in the city, using equipment such as motorcycles, SUVs, and mortars, the Ukrainska Pravda portal reports.

This information has also been acknowledged by Ukraine. It is said that there are about 300 Russian soldiers in Pokrovsk, scattered in small groups. Intense fighting is taking place in the city.

According to three soldiers operating in the Pokrovsk direction interviewed by Ukrainska Pravda, the special forces' attempts to clear the city were late and had no effect on the situation.

It is said that the occupiers took advantage of the dense fog that hung over Pokrovsk for several days, making the work of Ukrainian intelligence and drone operators difficult.

"The Russians are already north of the railway - there is a hospital, garden communities. The enemy is consolidating its success. No special forces can restore order, because there are as many enemies as there is a sea," said one Ukrainian soldier.

Another fighter added that the occupiers have brought mortars into the city and are firing at the positions of Ukrainian drone pilots.

"The Russians have already brought mortars to Pokrovsk and are now planning to use them to destroy the pilot positions. At the same time, they are trying to break into Rivne (a village between Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad - ed.) and Myrnohrad."

"They move in columns - although almost everyone dies that way - or in small groups, and that's what gets them results," he said.

In recent days, Russia has stepped up efforts to move in even more forces, using thick fog to evade drones.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrsky, noted in an interview with US media that the occupiers had concentrated 150,000 soldiers for the attack on Pokrovsk.

Different versions

Russia and Ukraine present different versions of the Battle of Pokrovsk.

Kyiv said on Monday it could still supply resources to neighboring Myrnohrad, while intense fighting was taking place in Pokrovsk.

"Currently, our main focus is on the Pokrovsk direction and the Zaporizhia region, where the Russians are increasing the scale and number of attacks."

"The situation remains difficult, partly due to weather conditions that are favorable for attacks. However, we continue to destroy the occupiers. I thank each of our units, each soldier defending Ukrainian positions," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on social media on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Moscow has been claiming for several days that the city is surrounded.

The Kremlin believes that the capture of Pokrovsk, which Russian media calls the"gateway to Donetsk," would provide an opportunity to push northward - towards the two largest cities in the region still controlled by Ukraine - Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.

Russia also claimed that its forces continued to advance on Kupyansk on Tuesday.

The occupiers have been advancing on Pokrovsk for over a year - trying to surround it and cut off its supply lines.

Russia reported capturing 256 buildings and said its forces were actively advancing northwest and east of Pokrovsk, as well as around the railway station.

Open source war maps from both countries show Russia conducting a “pincer” maneuver around the city and approaching its encirclement. Meanwhile, Kyiv is counterattacking further north, near the town of Dobropil.