The Russians are pushing with full force to gain a foothold in Pokrovsk. The city is becoming a “gray zone,” characterized by unpredictability and uncertain control, says Ukrainian soldier known as Hus from Ukraine’s 68th Separate Jaeger Brigade, according to Kyiv24.

Strategic gateway to the entire Donetsk Oblast

Capturing Pokrovsk would give Russian forces a major logistical hub, opening access to key cities such as Kramatorsk, Sloviansk, Kostiantynivka, and Druzhkivka.

This would enable Russian forces to intensify their pressure and expand control across Donetsk Oblast, moving closer to seizing the entire region.

Infiltration from the south and fierce fighting for every Block

According to Hus, Russian infiltration is currently taking place from the southern and southwestern parts of the city, with Russian troops focusing their efforts on securing positions in the southern districts.

“The enemy is being detected almost in every block and neighborhood, moving in small groups of several fighters,” he said.

The soldier noted that the situation remains unstable as certain positions may change hands several times.

“We can’t speak of any stable control by the enemy at this point — the entire city is essentially a gray zone,” he emphasized.

Encirclement plan meets resistance

Hus explained that Russian forces are attempting a two-pronged advance to encircle Ukrainian defenders and "close the pocket."

“They’re pushing hard from the west toward Hryshyne, from the southwest on one side, and from the northeast near Rodynske and Chervonyi Lyman, where heavy fighting continues,” he explained.

The occupiers are attempting to converge from both directions and seal the pocket, but they are still far from achieving this goal. 

The hell of Pokrovsk is growing hour by hour. Ukraine’s monitoring project DeepState reports that Russian forces from the 170,000 grouping continue infiltrating the city in Donetsk Oblast. The occupation groups are being tracked or eliminated in multiple districts, expanding the “gray zone” of Russian reconnaissance and sabotage activity.

Southern breach and flank threats

According to DeepState, Russian troops are pushing into the city through Ukrainian defense lines from the south, along the Zvirove–Shevchenko–Novopavlivka sector, as well as following the railway from Kotlyne.

"In recent days, the concentration of Russian forces has grown on the eastern outskirts of the city, near the settlement of Rivne," analysts noted.

Russian entrenchment inside the city

DeepState observes that Russian troops are beginning to entrench themselves in the city, setting up firing positions, observation posts, and footholds.

“This is facilitated by the large number of infantry, which often moves from district to district as Ukrainian units attempt to clear them out,” the report states.

An increased concentration of Russian infantry has also been recorded on the northern outskirts of Pokrovsk, further complicating the tactical situation.

The Russian command is taking direct control

Senior Ukrainian military leadership has arrived in the Pokrovsk area and assumed control of operations.

“We are seeing decisions to deploy specialized units to clear enemy forces from the city, where several hundred Russian infantry have accumulated. However, no measures have yet been announced to block the enemy’s infiltration from the southern sector,” analysts added.

DeepState notes that the results of these measures will become clear over time.