Ukrainian forces have regained control of Kucheriv Yar and surrounding areas, neutralizing Russian encirclement, while street battles erupt in Pokrovsk's city center where approximately 200 Russian troops have infiltrated, according to reports from the General Staff and Ukrainian sources. Over the past hour, from 10:15 AM to 11:15 AM UTC on October 26th, 2025, Ukrainian forces liberated Sukhets’ke and Zatyshok, recaptured territory east of Vilne and Nove Shakhove, and ended the encirclement at Kucheriv Yar, where Russian troops were killed or captured. Fighting continues for Fedorivka, and Russian attempts to advance toward Shakhove and Volodymyrivka have failed, with increasing pressure on Russian units west of Shakhove, as reported by NOELreports. In a separate development, OSINT analysts Oko Hora published a map detailing known air defense positions around Moscow, indicating the rotation of Pantsir, S-300, and S-400 systems. Meanwhile, President Putin claimed Russia's nuclear forces are at the highest global level and announced the completion of Burevestnik missile tests, stating they flew 14,000 km for 15 hours. Putin also asserted that Russian forces have encircled approximately 10,000 Ukrainian troops near Krasnoarmeysk and Dimitrov, according to wartranslated. Earlier in the reporting window, the mayor of Kharkiv confirmed the city was hit by a drone. Additionally, two MiG-31K aircraft were relocated from Akhtubinsk to Savasleyka airfield, potentially equipped with Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles. These events follow an overnight Russian aerial assault on Kyiv, which resulted in at least three fatalities and dozens of injuries, with debris from a downed UAV impacting a nine-story building between 11:16 PM and 12:15 AM UTC on October 26th, 2025.
