Ukraine war latest: Zelensky says situation in Pokrovsk, Zaporizhzhia Oblast 'difficult'
Hello, this is Francis Farell reporting from Kyiv on day 1,356 of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Today's top story so far:
President Volodymyr Zelensky on Nov. 11 described the situation facing Ukrainian troops in Pokrovsk and Zaporizhzhia Oblast as "difficult."
"Most of the attention is now on the Pokrovsky direction and Zaporizhzhia region, where the Russians are increasing the number and scale of assaults," he said in a post on social media.
"The situation there is difficult, and in particular due to weather conditions that favor attacks. But we continue to destroy the occupier. And I thank each of our units, each soldier who is involved in protecting Ukrainian positions."
More on the situations in both Pokrovsk and Zaporizhzhia Oblast below...
Russia's Orsk oil refinery hit in Ukrainian strike, General Staff says
Last updated 5:58 p.m. Kyiv time.
Ukrainian forces struck an oil refinery in Russia's city of Orsk, Orenburg Oblast, the General Staff reported on Nov. 11.
An airstrike alert was issued in the region ahead of the attack, prompting the closure of airports in Orsk and Orenburg.
Russia's Defense Ministry reported shooting down a drone over the area, while local governor Yevgeny Solntsev confirmed that an industrial facility had been hit, without specifying which one.
According to the General Staff, the attack targeted Orsknefteorgsintez, a refinery that produces over 30 types of petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel fuel, aviation kerosene, and oils.
The facility, which supplies the Russian army, is designed to process 6.6 million tons of oil per year.
Ukraine pulls back from positions near 5 settlements in Zaporizhzhia Oblast
Last updated 4:23 p.m. Kyiv time.
Ukrainian troops have pulled back from positions near five settlements in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for Ukraine's Southern Defense Forces, told Suspilne on Nov. 11.
"We have completely withdrawn from Uspenivka and Novomykolaivka. Very fierce fighting continues for Yablukove and three or four other locations. The defensive operation is ongoing, and the contact line remains quite dynamic," Voloshyn said.
The statement follows comments made on Nov. 9 by Valentyn Manko, commander of Ukraine's Assault Forces, who said the Ukrainian military had halted a Russian advance in eastern Zaporizhzhia Oblast and cleared the villages of Solodke and Rivnopillia.
Manko added that fighting was still ongoing near the villages of Poltavka and Uspenivka, where Russian forces were pushing toward the city of Huliaipole.
Under heavy fog, Russia presses into Pokrovsk — Ukraine says 300 troops enter city
Last updated 3:34 p.m. Kyiv time.
Under the cover of heavy fog, Russia is intensifying its push to seize Pokrovsk — exploiting low visibility that blunts Ukrainian drone surveillance and strikes, the 7th Corps of Ukraine's Air Assault Forces reported on Nov. 11.
Pokrovsk, with a pre-war population of around 60,000, has been a key target for Russia in recent months. Since this summer, Russian reconnaissance and sabotage groups have entered the city but have so far failed to capture it.
Russian forces are advancing into Pokrovsk from the southern outskirts with light equipment, coming from occupied Selydove and Donetsk.
The 7th Corps says that over 300 Russian troops are currently in the city, aiming to reach the northern borders of Pokrovsk and encircle the urban area, according to the 7th Corps.
Ukrainian forces hit oil refinery in Russia, oil terminal, warehouse in occupied areas, General Staff reports
Last updated 9:20 a.m. Kyiv time.
Ukrainian forces struck an oil refinery in Russia's city of Orsk, Orenburg Oblast, the General Staff reported on Nov. 11.
An airstrike alert was issued in the region ahead of the attack, prompting the closure of airports in Orsk and Orenburg.
Russia's Defense Ministry reported shooting down a drone over the area, while local governor Yevgeny Solntsev confirmed that an industrial facility had been hit, without specifying which one.
According to the General Staff, the attack targeted Orsknefteorgsintez, a refinery that produces over 30 types of petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel fuel, aviation kerosene, and oils.
The facility, which supplies the Russian army, is designed to process 6.6 million tons of oil per year.
At least 2 killed, 13 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day
At least two people have been killed and 13 others injured in Russian attacks against Ukraine over the past day, local authorities reported on Nov. 11.
Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 53 out of the 119 Shahed-type attack drones and decoys launched by Russia overnight, according to the Air Force. Fifty-nine drone strikes occurred at 18 locations.
In Donetsk Oblast, one person was killed in the city of Kramators, while another one was killed in the city of Kostiantynivka, according to Governor Vadym Filashkin.
In Kherson Oblast, Russian attacks injured seven people, including a child, over the past day, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported.
In Kharkiv Oblast, Russia targeted six settlements, injuring two men, aged 24 and 42, and a 16-year-old boy, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported.
In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Russian drones attacked the Synelnykove district, injuring a 36-year-old man, according to Governor Vladyslav Haivanenko.
Russian forces also targeted the Nikopol district, wounding a 76-year-old woman who was hospitalized in moderate condition.
In Odesa Oblast, Russian drones attacked the southern part of the region, injuring one person with shrapnel, Governor Oleh Kiper reported.
General Staff: Russia has lost 1,153,180 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
Russia has lost around 1,153,180 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Nov. 11.
The number includes 1,020 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
According to the report, Russia has also lost 23,553 (+1) armored fighting vehicles, 67,036 (+79) vehicles and fuel tanks, 34,366 (+17) artillery systems, 1,539 (+1) multiple rocket launchers, and 79,642 (+217) drones.
