The war between Russia and Ukraine has reached a decisive stage. According to the latest reports, Russia has deployed nearly 170,000 troops in the Pokrovsk sector of eastern Donetsk. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a press briefing on Friday, “The Russian military pressure in Pokrovsk has intensified, and the situation remains difficult.” Zelensky dismissed Russia’s claim that the city of Pokrovsk has been fully encircled. He clarified, “Some Russian troops are present inside the city, but Ukrainian defenders are gradually pushing them back, as we must ensure the safety of our soldiers.”
Current Situation in Pokrovsk
- Over the past week, Russian forces have strengthened their positions south and northeast of Pokrovsk, putting Ukrainian troops in the eastern part at risk of encirclement.
- According to DeepStateMap, a corridor of about 10 kilometres remains open for delivering supplies and reinforcements to the city.
- Ukrainian forces have shown remarkable restraint, strategically retreating several times to safeguard their personnel.
- Russia reportedly holds an eightfold advantage in troop numbers on this front.
Russia’s Claims and Ukraine’s Response
- President Vladimir Putin emphasised Russia’s recent territorial advances, saying the army is “progressing steadily,” but at a heavy cost—particularly in terms of soldiers and armoured vehicles.
- Western and local media analysts note that Russia’s aggressive push is coming with massive casualties and resource depletion.
- Zelensky believes Moscow aims to demonstrate to the United States and its Western allies that Ukraine cannot withstand the scale of Russian military power.
Ukraine’s Counterattacks and Impact on Russia
- According to Ukraine’s intelligence chief Vasyl Malyuk, since the beginning of 2025, Ukrainian forces have carried out more than 160 successful strikes on Russian oil refineries and energy facilities.
- The use of Neptune cruise missiles has inflicted significant damage on Russia’s major energy and apparent military-industrial sites.
- Continuous attacks on oil and energy infrastructure within Russia have severely disrupted its logistics and supply chains.
Humanitarian Crisis
- According to UN Humanitarian Coordinator Matthias Schmale, civilian casualties in 2025 have increased by 30% compared to 2024.
- Pokrovsk’s population has dropped from 60,000 a year ago to around 7,000.
Conclusion
The Russia–Ukraine conflict stands at a critical juncture. Fighting has intensified across the eastern regions, particularly in Pokrovsk. While Russia maintains an advantage in troop deployment and numbers, it continues to suffer heavy losses due to human casualties, resource strain, and Ukraine’s counterattacks. Neither side is willing to retreat, and the war’s toll is increasingly being borne by ordinary civilians. The situation remains extremely tense.
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Utkarsh works as a Sub-Editor at 1Tak News. Technology and gadgets are his main beats, and he also tracks automobiles. A graduate of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth, he began his journalism career in 2023 and has built experience across digital media platforms like 1Tak. Besides technology, he also has considerable experience covering national affairs, politics, research, and international news.
