The commander in chief of Ukraine's armed forces has warned Russian activity is increasing around the key frontline town of Pokrovsk, saying the situation is difficult.
General Oleksandr Syrskyi admitted Russian infantry was massing in the area and said he had visited the frontline himself for talks with key commanders.
But he said reports that Ukrainian troops had been blockaded there by Russian forces was untrue propaganda.
There have been growing reports of Russian advances around the strategic town in the Donetsk region in the east of Ukraine. It forms a key transport and supply hub and its capture could unlock Russian efforts to seize the rest of the region.
In a statement on Telegram, General Syrskyi stated: In Pokrovsk, enemy infantry, avoiding combat, is amassing in the urban area and changing locations, so the primary objective is to identify and destroy them.
He added: The situation is difficult, but Russian propaganda claims about the alleged 'blockade' of the Ukrainian Defence Forces in Pokrovsk, as well as in Kupiansk, are untrue.
Syrskyi emphasized the importance of maintaining balance between goals and capabilities, prioritizing the preservation of soldiers' lives.
Russian forces have been attempting to capture Pokrovsk for over a year, which would facilitate advances towards other cities still under Ukrainian control, like Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.
Russia's chief of general staff, General Valery Gerasimov, asserted that Ukrainian troops in Pokrovsk had been surrounded, a claim dismissed by Ukrainian officials.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remarked that Pokrovsk is the main target for Russian forces, which reportedly outnumber Ukrainian troops in the area significantly. Zelensky stressed that capturing the town would serve Moscow's narrative of Ukrainian retreat.
The defense intelligence firm Sybelline noted that the battle for Pokrovsk has entered a critical phase, with Russian forces intensifying efforts to encircle Ukrainian defenders.
Additionally, Ukrainian monitoring group Deepstate reported that Russian troops are increasingly infiltrating Pokrovsk and disrupting supply lines, indicating a dire situation as conflicts escalate.
