Russian forces close in on Pokrovsk, Ukraine faces critical defense challenge

"Russian troops are attempting to capture settlements near Pokrovsk, a city in Donetsk Oblast that was home to over 60,000 people before Russia's full-scale invasion.

Stanislav “Osman” Buniatov, a unit commander in the 24th Assault Battalion Aidar, provided an update on the situation on the Pokrovsk front. "They are mainly holding onto the railway, orienting themselves towards capturing the surrounding settlements,"...Representatives of the Pokrovsk City Military Administration reported on Oct. 24 that Russian forces had destroyed 80% of the settlement’s critical infrastructure." NV

Mysterious Drone Swarms Detected Over UK Airbases Hosting US Stealth Jets

"The growing presence of mysterious drone swarms at or near US military bases has become a significant cause for concern. Reports suggest these unmanned aerial systems have now been spotted over British military installations.

The Guardian reports that drone swarms have been spotted over three UK airbases: RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, and RAF Feltwell in Norfolk between last Wednseday and Friday.
The US 48th Fighter Wing is stationed at RAF Lakenheath. This base is home to the only F-15 wing in Europe, which includes two F-15E Strike Eagle squadrons and two F-35A Lightning II squadrons.
The UK incident came just days after a drone swarm on Tuesday in Morris County, New Jersey, caused alarm because it was down the street from the military research and manufacturing facility Picatinny Arsenal." ZH

Ukraine's Defense Forces hit S-400 radar station in Kursk Oblast

"Ukrainian Defense Forces have successfully struck and destroyed a Russian S-400 air defense system in Kursk Oblast." NV

227 combat clashes on front lines in past day

"Ukrainian forces engaged in 227 combat clashes with Russian troops across the front lines, with the heaviest fighting reported in the Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and Vremivka sectors.
In the Kharkiv sector, Ukrainian forces engaged in 13 clashes near Vovchansk and Tykhe.
In the Kupiansk sector, Ukrainian forces repelled 12 enemy assaults near Hlushkivka, Synkivka, Zahryzove, Novoplatonivka, Kindrashivka, Pishchane, and Zelenyi Hai.
In the Lyman sector, Russian forces launched 17 attacks on Ukrainian positions near Druzheliubivka, Tverdokhlibove, Novoiehorivka, Hrekivka, Novomykhailivka,

Cherneshchyna, Kopanky, Yampolivka, and Terny.
In the Siversk sector, Ukrainian troops repelled one enemy assault near Bilohorivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, Russian troops launched three attacks near Stupochky and Chasiv Yar.
In the Toretsk sector, Russian forces launched two attacks toward Toretsk.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian forces repelled 55 attacks near Promin, Lysivka, Krutyi Yar, Myrnohrad, Hryhorivka, Myroliubivka, Zhovte, Pushkine, Petrivka, and Pustynka. The most intense fighting occurred near Dachenske, with Russian forces actively employing bomber and assault aircraft.
In the Kurakhove sector, Ukrainian defenders fended off 47 attacks as Russian forces, supported by aircraft, attempted to advance near Berestky, Dalnie, Romanivka, Sontsivka, Zoria, Novodmytrivka, Kurakhove, Katerynivka, and Antonivka.
In the Vremivka sector, the enemy conducted 26 assaults on Ukrainian positions near Velyka Novosilka, Novodarivka, Trudove, Sukhi Yaly, Rozdolne, Kostiantynopilske, and Rivnopillia.
In the Huliaipole and Orikhiv sectors, no assault operations were reported.
In the Dnipro River sector, Russian troops made five unsuccessful attempts to dislodge Ukrainian units." Ukrin