Russia Hits Kyiv With Overnight Attack As Fighting Intensifies in Pokrovsk

"Fighting intensified in eastern Ukraine around the frontline city of Pokrovsk as Russia carried out another overnight attack on Kyiv that hit civilian infrastructure. First-responders were still searching through rubble on the morning of November 15, but the drone and missile strikes on the Ukrainian capital killed at least seven people, Kyiv military administration head Tymur Tkachenko said. Ukrainian authorities said that three missiles and 135 drones were fired overnight, with the country's air defenses taking out all but one missile and 41 drones."

"Meanwhile, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that 265 clashes had occurred over the last 24 hours between Russia and Ukrainian forces along the front line. Nearly half of those took place in the villages and area surrounding Pokrovsk, which holds crucial road and rail junctions and has been under threat of encirclement by Russian forces for most of the year."

"But Ukrainian troops have come under more pressure in Pokrovsk in recent weeks, with General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine's top military commander, visiting units fighting to hold the city in the eastern Donetsk region. Syrskyi said Ukraine's key goals were to regain control of certain areas, protect supply and evacuation lines and create new ones. "There is no question of Russian control over the city of Pokrovsk or of the operational encirclement of Ukraine's defence forces in the area," Syrskyi said during his November 13 visit. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is not opposed to withdrawing from Pokrovsk amid the "very difficult" situation, but it was a decision for commanders on the ground."

Russia launched overnight drone and missile strikes on Kyiv, damaging civilian infrastructure and killing at least seven people. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted most incoming weapons, with authorities reporting three missiles and 135 drones fired overnight. The strikes followed a previous night barrage of 430 drones and 18 missiles that killed six and wounded dozens. The General Staff recorded 265 clashes in 24 hours, nearly half around Pokrovsk, a strategic road and rail junction facing encirclement threats. Ukrainian commanders emphasized regaining territory, protecting supply and evacuation lines, and creating new lines. President Zelenskyy said commanders could consider withdrawal to avoid unnecessary deaths.

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