Russian and Ukrainian forces clashed on Tuesday in the shattered city of Pokrovsk, a vital transport and logistics hub in eastern Ukraine that Moscow has sought to seize for more than a year.
Ukraine’s military reported that heavy fighting was taking place in a key section of the city critical to its supply routes. Kyiv said it had deployed additional special forces and sent reinforcements of weapons and equipment to bolster defenses.
Ukraine denied reports that its troops in Pokrovsk were encircled, saying its forces continued to hold defensive lines. The military mapping project DeepState confirmed Russian territorial gains in the area but said Moscow’s troops did not yet have full control of the city.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited soldiers near Dobropillia, southwest of Pokrovsk, in a show of support for frontline troops. His visit underscored the importance of the region, as Pokrovsk serves as a key node for Ukrainian supply and evacuation routes in the Donetsk region.
Pokrovsk has been heavily bombarded for months, leaving much of the city in ruins. Control of the area would give Russia a significant logistical advantage as it pushes deeper into eastern Ukraine, while Ukraine continues to defend its remaining strongholds in Donetsk amid intense fighting and mounting casualties on both sides.
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