Fighting continues between Russian and Ukrainian troops in Pokrovsk, a transport and logistics hub in eastern Ukraine that Moscow has been trying to capture for more than a year.

Russia has said that the surrounded Ukrainian troops in the towns of Pokrovsk and Kupyansk must surrender, as they have no chance of saving themselves otherwise. A statement from the Russian Defense Ministry said that the situation of the Ukrainian troops in the two towns is deteriorating rapidly, BNR reported.

Moscow says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's claims on the subject are false. The Ukrainian president said he visited troops near Pokrovsk and nearby areas, including Dobropole, yesterday, where Ukrainian forces are conducting a counteroffensive against Russian troops. Zelensky said in a Telegram message that military commanders had reported on"stabilizing the defense line and coordinating with neighboring units."

The Ukrainian military reported that fierce fighting was taking place in the city. They said additional special forces had arrived there and more weapons and equipment were being sent.

The Russian city of Orel was attacked last night, local residents and Russian media reported. Multiple explosions were heard. Footage of the attack, filmed about 1 to 1.5 kilometers from the Oryol thermal power plant, was posted on social media. Oryol region governor Andrey Klychkov said air defenses had destroyed Ukrainian drones aimed at the region. Debris damaged homes and an outbuilding. Less than a week ago, the Ukrainian military said it had struck the Oryol thermal power plant with Neptune cruise missiles. A fire was reported at the facility.

Meanwhile, Russia has launched new strikes on energy facilities in Ukraine's Donetsk, Sumy and Chernihiv regions, leaving consumers without electricity, the Energy Ministry said.