Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated the defense of Pokrovsk is a priority, as elite special forces were deployed to the embattled town on the eastern front line.
Ukrainian army sources reported that special forces from military intelligence and assault groups are being utilized to protect supply lines for troops holding the town in the Donbas region.
With increasing Russian advances around the strategic town, reports indicate that Ukraine has denied claims of its forces being surrounded.
Moscow's objective is for Kyiv to concede the entire Donbas region in potential peace negotiations, including areas currently not under Russian control.
Currently, around one-fifth of Ukrainian territory is controlled by Russia, including Crimea, which was annexed in 2014.
The increasing deployment of special forces reflects Kyiv’s determination to maintain control over Pokrovsk, which has been a target for Russian forces for over a year.
Local media indicates the head of Ukraine's military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, is overseeing operations in the region.
Pokrovsk is a crucial transport and supply hub; its fall could greatly aid Russian efforts to dominate the wider region.
Furthermore, securing Pokrovsk may also influence perceptions in Washington regarding the success of Russia's military campaign, potentially affecting diplomatic negotiations.
President Zelensky remains open to ceasefire proposals, although Russia insists on Ukrainian withdrawal from remaining parts of the Donbas.
In his recent address, Zelensky reiterated Ukraine's commitment: Pokrovsk is our priority. We continue to destroy the occupier... They must be halted where they have reached - and destroyed there.
Images have emerged showing Ukrainian troops being deployed, although reports from Russia suggest that some troops were lost in the operation.
DeepState, a Ukrainian monitoring group, indicated that about half of Pokrovsk is in a contested grey zone. This underscores the ongoing volatility in the situation, with claims that frontline battles have intensified.
Experts suggest that while fighting continues, Ukrainian forces maintain operational control in a challenging environment compounded by active Russian fire.
