Russian forces enter urban area of Pokrovsk in Donetsk region - Chief of General Staff
Photo: Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Andrii Hnatov (facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua)
The situation in Pokrovsk remains tense. Russian forces have entered the urban area and are trying to create conditions for a full encirclement, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Andrii Hnatov stated during a briefing.
"Regarding the situation in the Pokrovsk direction… it is one of the hottest directions today. The enemy is not giving up attempts to capture Pokrovsk and create conditions for encircling the Pokrovsk–Myrnohrad agglomeration," Hnatov said.
At the same time, the Chief of the General Staff reminded that Russia’s intentions to capture Pokrovsk have persisted for more than a year.
"They are trying to create conditions to seize this relatively small city. Indeed, the enemy has created a certain advantage in forces and equipment there. They have partially infiltrated the urban area, especially on the southern outskirts of the settlement, and are trying to create footholds to continue their advance," he explained.
Hnatov was also asked whether it was "time to withdraw the troops from Pokrovsk." He did not answer directly but stressed that all decisions related to the operation will be made by the military command, and for now, this information is not public.
However, once these decisions are made, their consequences will be communicated to the public, as sharing unnecessary information now could harm the defenders of Pokrovsk, the Chief of the General Staff added.
Fighting in Pokrovsk
Today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia wants to occupy Pokrovsk as quickly as possible in order to push the narrative that it could allegedly capture the entire Donbas.
A few days ago, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine denied claims of a "Pokrovsk encirclement" being spread by Russian propagandists.
It is noted that Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold the line within the Pokrovsk–Myrnohrad agglomeration.
However, the situation remains difficult: Russian forces are already in the city, though they are being actively pushed back. Many different units are involved, and their operations need to be carefully coordinated.
Today, the 7th Rapid Response Corps of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces reported that Russian activity in Pokrovsk has decreased, as they prepare a new strike on Myrnohrad.
