The Sunday Times assessed the impact of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' Kursk operation on the situation near Pokrovsk.

According to an analytical article in the British newspaper The Sunday Times, Russian troops continue their advance on the city of Pokrovsk in Donbas, despite the Ukrainian forces' operation in the Kursk region of Russia. The Ukrainian authorities have already ordered the forced evacuation of the city as the situation around Pokrovsk becomes increasingly tense. Military commanders point to various problems facing the city's defenders, including a shortage of shells and the enemy's superiority. Quotes from the commander of the 47th Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who emphasized the complexity of the situation and the need for fresh forces, are also included. The Ukrainian leadership hoped that the operation in Kursk would reduce the pressure on troops in Donbas, but this did not happen. Analysts warn of a possible success of Russian forces in capturing Pokrovsk, which will become the biggest success since Bakhmut in 2023. Expert opinion on the Ukrainian operation in the Kursk region and its impact on international support for Ukraine is also mentioned.

Moscow continues to focus on Donbas despite the Kursk operations, which President Zelensky called a "buffer zone" and may use in future negotiations. Ukrainian military officials hope that winter weather may slow down the Russian advance, but for now, the Armed Forces of Ukraine must hold out. Earlier, American media also stated that the incursion into the Kursk region weakened Ukrainian defense.