Pokrovsk Under Intense Pressure as Russia Claims Gains, Offers Journalist Access
POKROVSK, Ukraine – Ukrainian troops defending the city of Pokrovsk are facing a “challenging” situation, according to Ukrainian army chief Oleksandr Syrsky, who visited the area Thursday. Despite Russian claims of encirclement, Syrsky refuted assertions that Ukrainian forces are “blocked.” The battle for Pokrovsk has intensified in recent months, with Russian forces first reaching the city’s outskirts in late autumn 2024 and achieving initial breakthroughs into the city itself by mid-2025.
Ukrainian officials report approximately 11,000 Russian troops concentrated around Pokrovsk, with President Volodymyr Zelensky stating on October 27 that Russian forces outnumbered Ukrainian defenders by a ratio of eight to one. As of the same date,the Ukrainian General Staff acknowledged the presence of “environ 200” Russian soldiers within the city.Sence then, Russian pressure has increased, resulting in chaotic urban combat and a blurring of traditional front lines.
Moscow appears confident in capturing Pokrovsk, with Russian Telegram channels, such as “Sever_Z” (affiliated with the Russian armed forces volunteer corps), referencing a potential “cauldron of Pokrovsk,” drawing parallels to the pivotal “cauldron of Stalingrad” in World War II.
In a move signaling anticipated success, the Russian defense ministry announced that Vladimir Putin has ordered the Russian army to allow foreign journalists access to Pokrovsk, Dimitrov, and Kupiansk. The ministry stated it is prepared to suspend military operations for five to six hours to “ensure unimpeded entry and exit corridors,” and will facilitate the passage of Ukrainian journalists, contingent upon security guarantees for both journalists and Russian soldiers.
The potential fall of Pokrovsk would likely expose Sloviansk and kramatorsk to increased attacks and threaten key supply routes for Ukrainian forces.
