ADVANCING TO POKROVSK
The attacks on both bridges, which lie on the river Seym that winds through Kursk, have left Russia with limited options to cross the river in the area, according to Russian military bloggers.
Moscow said the destruction of one of the bridges had hindered evacuation efforts.
The Russian defence ministry said in a briefing it was pushing back against Ukraine’s forces near several villages.
More than 120,000 people have fled the region since fighting began, say Russian officials.
Russia’s defence ministry said Sunday its forces had captured Svyrydonivka, another frontline settlement some 15 kilometres (nine miles) away from Pokrovsk.
Pokrovsk lies on the intersection of a key road that supplies Ukrainian troops and towns across the eastern front and has long been a target for the Russian army.
Russian forces have been inching towards Pokrovsk for months, taking a string of tiny villages as they seek to reach the outskirts of the city.
The head of Pokrovsk’s military administration, Sergiy Dobryak, warned earlier this week that Russia was a little more than 10 kilometres from the outskirts of the city and urged remaining residents to evacuate.
Source: CNA
