Ukraine Battles Russian Push In Pokrovsk

Ukraine is rushing to strengthen its positions in the strategic eastern transport hub of Pokrovsk as about 200 Russian troops have infiltrated the city in small groups, Kyiv’s military said on Monday.

The Ukrainian general staff, which made the estimate of enemy forces, reported small-arms firefights and the active deployment of drones. The Russian defense ministry said that its assault groups were attempting to advance near the train station.

“There is fierce fighting in the city and on the approaches to the city. Logistics are difficult. But we must continue to destroy the occupiers,” President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday.

Russia has been attempting to occupy Pokrovsk, a key part of Kyiv’s defensive lines, for months, viewing it as a crucial point for its effort to fully capture the” onetsk region.

Russian forces have renewed their attempts following a failed push by U.S. President Donald Trump to secure a ceasefire, Ukrainian officials said.

The 7th Rapid Response Unit of Ukraine’s airborne troops stated on Monday that defensive positions in the city had been reinforced in recent days as intense urban fighting continued.

“The occupiers, who have entered the city, are not trying to take hold, but intend to advance further north,” the unit said in a Facebook post. “In doing so, the enemy wants to disperse our defense forces and block land logistics corridors.”

Zelenskiy said Russia has concentrated its main strike force against the city, emphasizing its strategic importance.

Citing Ukrainian intelligence, Zelenskiy told U.S. media outlet Axios that Russian President Vladimir Putin had privately claimed Moscow would capture the entire Donbas, comprising the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, by October 15.

The Ukrainian open-source mapping project Deep State recently reduced the area to the southwest of Pokrovsk that it considers under Ukrainian control, increasing the portion “requiring clarification” to about one-fifth of the city.

Russia currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region, while approximately 6,600 square kilometers (2,548 square miles) remain under Ukraine’s control.

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Moscow’s troops continue to report incremental gains across the region but have failed to achieve any major strategic breakthrough for more than a year.

Editor’s Note:

The escalating battle for Pokrovsk underscores the intensifying struggle for control over eastern Ukraine, particularly the Donetsk region. As ceasefire talks collapse and Russian forces push deeper into key urban areas, the humanitarian and strategic stakes continue to rise on both sides. Updates will follow as verified information becomes available.