Ukraine has firmly rejected claims made by Russia asserting that its forces have been encircled in the pivotal city of Pokrovsk, which is currently under heavy assault by Moscow’s troops. This city, strategically located in the Donetsk region, serves as a crucial supply route for the Ukrainian military and has been a focal point of Russian military objectives for over a year.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported this week that around 300 Russian soldiers are actively engaged in combat within the city as part of a renewed offensive. On Tuesday, he visited troops stationed near Pokrovsk and pledged to do everything possible to maintain control of the area.
In a statement made on Tuesday, the Russian military claimed to be “tightening the encirclement around the enemy” in Pokrovsk and alleged the capture of several dozen buildings within the town. However, the Ukrainian General Staff issued a counterstatement on Wednesday, asserting that “there is no encirclement of our units and divisions.”
The General Staff highlighted ongoing efforts to block enemy forces attempting to infiltrate the city, emphasizing that “active resistance to attempts by enemy infantry groups to establish positions is ongoing.”
Before the conflict, Pokrovsk was home to approximately 60,000 residents, but the sustained fighting has turned it into a largely deserted area ravaged by war. In response to the escalating situation, Ukrainian forces deployed special units over the weekend to reinforce the city’s defenses.
Since the onset of its invasion in 2022, Russia has made significant territorial gains across eastern and southern Ukraine, intensifying the urgency for Ukrainian forces to hold pivotal locations like Pokrovsk.
