Ukrainian forces still hold parts of Pokrovsk as Russian troops press a southern assault with roughly 30 armored vehicles, marking what’s described as the largest attack on the city to date.

Russia is advancing in the Donbas and has intensified efforts around Pokrovsk, contradicting Moscow’s claims of having captured the city.

Pokrovsk is a strategic logistics hub on key supply routes, a prize in Russia’s broader goal to control eastern Donbas, with operations intensifying since late 2023.

Analysts warn that if Pokrovsk falls, it could become a magnet for Russian forces, potentially enabling advances toward Slavyansk and Kramatorsk or a push toward the Dnipropetrovsk region.

Political developments accompany the fighting, including discussions around a revised peace plan involving Ukraine, the United States, and Europe, which Kyiv says may not align with its security needs.

Analysts view Pokrovsk’s loss as a strategic blow but not an immediate rout for Ukraine, with persistent high-stakes fighting and risks of encirclement around Pokrovsk and nearby Myrnohrad.

The clashes unfold amid a broader context of diplomacy, including a planned meeting between Putin and U.S. negotiators, underscoring Pokrovsk’s strategic significance.

Some observers suggest Russia is framing Pokrovsk’s fall as inevitable to bolster its narrative in peace talks, though Ukraine and allies dispute that portrayal.

Ukrainian drones initially slowed the Russian advance, but persistent fog and weather hinder countermeasures, allowing ground movements.

Reporting draws on multiple outlets and sources to describe Pokrovsk’s current status and its strategic importance in the wider war.

Experts describe Pokrovsk as a gateway to Donetsk and pivotal for defending Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, the region’s major Ukrainian-held cities.

Many analysts believe Russia is likely to capture Pokrovsk soon, with Ukraine potentially forced to abandon nearby Myrnohrad due to resource constraints.