Moscow reports advance in Pokrovsk – Kyiv denies encirclement of its troops

The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that its forces had further tightened the encirclement of Ukrainian units in the strategically important city of Pokrovsk and the area around Kupjansk. According to the statement, Russian soldiers had already “cleared” 35 buildings in Pokrovsk.

Ukraine rejected these claims and emphasized that its units in the region were not encircled.

However, the DeepState project shows that Russian troops have made progress in Pokrovsk, even though most of the city remains a gray zone—that is, without clear control by either side in the conflict.

Pokrovsk is considered an important transportation hub, the capture of which could open the way to other key cities such as Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.

President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged that the city is under heavy pressure, but the Ukrainian military insists that the Russians do not control any parts of the city. According to a Russian military blogger, Moscow's influence is growing, but a complete capture is not yet in sight.

(reuters, lup)