In the Pokrovsk area, where fierce fighting continues, Russian command has begun testing new weapon systems. According to Ukrainian military data, the occupiers have deployed the BM-35 drone, which operates using the Starlink satellite internet. This event serves as further proof that the Pokrovsk direction has become a testing ground for Russia's latest technologies.
Technological Escalation on the 'Central' Front
Colonel General Yevhen Lasiychuk, commander of the 7th Corps of the Air Assault Forces, confirmed the appearance of this new type of unmanned aerial vehicle in an interview with RBC-Ukraine. According to him, the BM-35 is an analog of the well-known 'Shahed' kamikaze drone but features smaller dimensions. This allows Russian forces to use it more flexibly, including for strikes against equipment at significant distances, effectively in the rear of Ukrainian positions.
The General paid special attention to the use of Starlink communication systems. The integration of this technology into Russian drones allows them to maintain communication and navigation even under active electronic warfare conditions. Lasiychuk noted that on this section of the front, where the powerful 'Center' force grouping is concentrated (units of the 41st and 51st Armies), the enemy attempts to use all the latest means, if not daily, then very frequently.
Situation at the Front Line: Facts vs. Rhetoric
Despite the active use of new equipment and the concentration of forces, the real dynamics on the ground do not match the statements of the Russian command. Ukrainian troops continue to hold the northern outskirts of Pokrovsk. The Russian offensive, which began in the spring, has effectively reached a dead end. Analysts record advance rates measured in tens of meters per day. This makes the current campaign one of the slowest in military history over the last century, drawing parallels with the positional battles on the Somme during World War I.
Furthermore, statistics from recent months indicate a trend shift in favor of Ukraine. In the spring of 2026, Russian control over territories began to shrink. In April and May, the occupiers lost more land than they were able to capture, resulting in net losses of approximately 400 square kilometers. This marks the first monthly territorial losses for Russia since August 2024.
Information War Around Kramatorsk/Constantinovka
Following unsuccessful attempts to break through in Sloviansk, the Russian command shifted the focus of its offensive campaign to Konstantynivka. However, as Brigadier General Oleksandr Bakulin, commander of the 19th Army Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, notes, the reality on the ground does not match the propaganda reports. According to him, Russian commanders have already begun reporting the alleged capture of the city, attempting to find confirmation for these claims directly on site.
Bakulin characterizes these actions as a separate information campaign designed to conceal the lack of real tactical successes. While Russian troops test new drones and attempt to seize the initiative at the cost of huge resources, the Ukrainian defense continues to withstand the onslaught, inflicting significant territorial losses on the enemy.
