Russia Masses 110,000 Troops Near Pokrovsk in Renewed Push for Eastern Ukraine, Says Kyiv
Russia has deployed approximately 110,000 troops near Pokrovsk, intensifying efforts to seize the strategically vital eastern Ukrainian city, according to Ukraine’s military chief, General Oleksandr Syrskyi.
In a briefing on Friday, Syrskyi called Pokrovsk the “hottest spot” along the 1,200-kilometer (745-mile) frontline that stretches across eastern Ukraine. Russian forces have been attempting to capture the city for nearly a year, launching repeated offensives in a grinding campaign that has failed to secure a breakthrough, despite Russia’s overwhelming numerical and artillery advantage.

Why Pokrovsk Matters
Though not a large city, Pokrovsk sits on a critical supply route and railroad line, making it a logistical linchpin in the defense of Ukrainian-held parts of Donetsk region. Together with nearby cities like Kostiantynivka, Kramatorsk, and Sloviansk, Pokrovsk forms the defensive backbone of the eastern front still under Ukrainian control.
Before the war, around 60,000 people lived in Pokrovsk. Most have since fled due to the conflict, especially after the closure of Ukraine’s last functioning coking coal mine there earlier this year. The mine had provided a reason for some residents to remain until it was finally shut down.
Russia’s Strategic Goals
Capturing Pokrovsk would advance Russian President Vladimir Putin’s stated objective of fully occupying the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, which Russia currently controls only partially. Ukrainian officials and Western allies accuse Putin of using peace negotiations as a delay tactic, aiming to gain more ground before any potential talks resume.
Ukrainian Resistance and Tactical Shift
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a U.S.-based think tank, previously reported that Ukrainian defenses forced Russian troops to abandon their initial plan of a direct frontal assault on Pokrovsk. Ukrainian forces successfully integrated drone operations with ground troops, inflicting heavy losses and disrupting Russian strategies.
Additionally, Ukraine’s surprise offensive in the southern Russian region of Kursk last year drew away approximately 63,000 Russian troops and 7,000 North Korean fighters, according to Syrskyi. This operation weakened Russian pressure on Pokrovsk and contributed to the city remaining under Ukrainian control, despite Moscow’s prior declaration in September 2024 that it would soon fall.
Russia’s New Approach
With direct assaults proving ineffective, Russian forces have shifted tactics, attempting to encircle Pokrovsk from the south and northeast. The ISW reported this week that Russian assaults now involve small, mobile fireteams, sometimes using motorcycles, ATVs, and buggies for rapid attacks. These operations appear to aim more at psychological impact than military gain.
Syrskyi believes Russia’s objectives now include symbolic victories. “They want to reach the administrative border of Donetsk, not only for operational results but also for propaganda,” he said. “It’s about planting a flag, making noise, and declaring another pseudo-victory.”