The Russian military has reportedly been advancing toward key strongholds

Ukrainian soldiers have been raising fear of possible encirclement as Russian forces continue to advance along the front line, CNN has reported, citing data and messages posted on social media.

The Russian military has made new gains in the southwest of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), pushing forward between strategic cities of Pokrovsk (also known as Krasnoarmeysk) and Dzerzhinsk (Toretsk), according to the Russian Telegram channel 'Operation Z: War reporters of Russian Spring'.

Ukrainian forces still control parts of Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye regions, including the regional capitals of the latter two. The two Donbass republics as well as Kherson and Zaporozhye regions officially joined Russia in 2022 following referendums.

Some of the fiercest fighting has recently been reported south of Pokrovsk, once a key logistics hub for Ukrainian forces in the remaining parts of the DPR under Kiev's control.

A Ukrainian officer deployed in the area told CNN this week, citing drone footage and intercepted radio communications, that Russian forces were bringing in additional manpower and vehicles, possibly in preparation for new assaults.

CNN's analysis of combat engagements recorded by Ukraine's General Staff reportedly indicated an increase in Russian activity along all parts of the front over the past two weeks.

Posts by Ukrainian soldiers on social media in recent days have described fears of an encirclement in one location and a breach of defensive lines in another, the news outlet wrote.

It quoted a Telegram post by a Ukrainian with a call-sign Muchnoy, who claimed the front line had entered an "active" phase and that "the Russians will not stop."

"They will enter the Dnepropetrovsk Region - this is one of the key tasks set by the Russian command," the post reportedly stated.

The potential encirclement of Pokrovsk could pave the way for a broader offensive into Dnepropetrovsk Region, with only six kilometers remaining to the border. Dnepropetrovsk Region borders DPR to the east and Kherson and Zaporozhye regions to the south.

The report suggested that the capture of even a part of Dnepropetrovsk Region could serve as a "bargaining chip" for Moscow in future negotiations, while seriously weakening Kiev's position.

On Friday, the 'Operation Z' channel shared video footage from the fighting near Pokrovsk, showing the 255th Regiment destroying NATO equipment, infantry, and positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.