Ukraine says its forces still hold part of frontline city of Pokrovsk

Ukrainian military leadership has asserted that its forces continue to maintain a foothold in the strategically important eastern city of Pokrovsk, despite Russian declarations of complete control. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi stated in comments reported on Tuesday that Ukrainian troops have held approximately 13 square kilometers of the city, including its northern sector along a railway line, since mid-November.

Contested Control and Tactical Adjustments

Syrskyi acknowledged that Ukrainian forces were temporarily absent from the city earlier in the autumn but regained control through offensive actions. He described holding an additional 54 square kilometers west of Pokrovsk. However, he revealed a recent tactical withdrawal, stating he ordered troops to abandon positions 5-7 kilometers from the city that had become unsustainable and vulnerable to enemy infiltration, deeming their defense "inexpedient."

Disputed Situation in Myrnohrad and Russian Claims

The commander also directly countered Russian assertions regarding the nearby city of Myrnohrad (called Dimitrov by Russia), located just east of Pokrovsk. He denied that Ukrainian troops there are encircled, admitting logistics are complicated but functional. His comments came as Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov claimed Russian forces control the southern part of Myrnohrad and have made it a primary objective to defeat what Moscow describes as encircled Ukrainian units.

Strategic Importance and Verification Challenges

Pokrovsk serves as a critical logistics hub for Ukrainian operations in the Donetsk region, making its control a key objective for both sides. The conflicting battlefield claims from Kyiv and Moscow are characteristic of the information war accompanying the over three-and-a-half-year conflict, with independent verification remaining extremely difficult amid the intense fighting and fluid frontline conditions.