Russia has claimed control of Pokrovsk, a crucial logistical hub in eastern Ukraine, after a prolonged and costly battle.
The fight for Pokrovsk, a city with a pre-war population of 60,000, has been raging since August 2024.
If confirmed, this would mark Russia’s most significant battlefield victory in recent months, highlighting the war’s attritional nature.
Military experts see Pokrovsk as strategically vital, standing as the last major holdout before the key Donetsk region cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.
President Vladimir Putin stated Pokrovsk offers a strong foothold for further military objectives, allowing advances in all directions.
Ukraine, however, denies a full capture. President Zelenskyy previously stated Russia amassed approximately 170,000 troops in the area, a figure described as colossal.
For context, Germany’s entire active-duty army is about 180,000, while Poland’s military numbers around 200,000 servicemen.
Independent verification of troop figures remains difficult, as Russia does not disclose its specific deployments in the Pokrovsk area.
In September, Putin claimed over 700,000 Russian servicemen were deployed on the entire front.
Assessing total casualties for both sides in Pokrovsk is currently impossible due to conflicting reports.
A Russian Telegram channel, SHOT, claimed over 6,500 Ukrainian servicemen had been killed in the battle for Pokrovsk, though this claim lacks cited sources.
In October, Russia’s Chief of General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, also claimed 5,500 Ukrainian military personnel were encircled, a claim military experts largely dismissed.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that Russian forces have suffered significant casualties in their months-long campaign for Pokrovsk.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said a record 25,000 Russian troops were killed in October, with most losses occurring around Pokrovsk.
The Ukrainian military reported killing 1,221 Russian soldiers and wounding 545 in the Pokrovsk area last month, including 519 killed in Pokrovsk itself.
Ukraine’s coal and steel production in Pokrovsk has been suspended since January, indicating the economic toll of the conflict on the region.
The Russian Defense Ministry recently released a video purportedly showing Russian soldiers raising their flag over the central square of Pokrovsk, referred to as Krasnoarmeysk.
Amidst the contested claims, Ukrainian intelligence has launched its own special airborne operation in Pokrovsk, engaging Russian-held areas with specialized units.
This counter-offensive, reportedly directed by GUR head Kyrylo Budanov, highlights the strategic importance of Pokrovsk for Ukrainian logistics and ongoing efforts.
Earlier Russian infiltration attempts and troop concentrations around the city indicate its critical role in the broader conflict, leading to sustained engagements.
Reports of small-arms combat within Pokrovsk underscore the fierce fight for control, with Ukrainian forces denying full Russian control of any micro-districts.
The dynamic situation in Pokrovsk remains a key focal point, reflecting the complex and often contradictory reports from both sides of the conflict.
For additional details on Ukraine’s intelligence operations in Pokrovsk, further information can be found in this report: Ukrainian Intelligence Launches Airborne Special Operation in Pokrovsk.