Amidst Ongoing Conflict, Zelensky Inspects Front Line Troops in Pokrovsk

Wed Nov 05 2025 08:33:24 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited military personnel near the embattled town of Pokrovsk, as Russian forces increase their pressure in the region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited troops at a command post near Pokrovsk, where fierce battles with Russian forces are ongoing. As both sides claim victories and endure losses in this strategic area, concerns grow over the humanitarian impact on civilians and the strategic implications of potential Russian advances into Donetsk.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he has visited troops near the town of Pokrovsk, where the fiercest front line battle between Russia and Ukraine is currently taking place.

Zelensky posted photos showing him meeting personnel at a command post in the Dobropillya sector, some 20km (12 miles) north of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region.

Kyiv's top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskiy, stated that Ukraine was increasing pressure on the Dobropillya front to 'force the enemy to disperse its forces', disrupting their efforts in the Pokrovsk area.

Russia has been attempting to capture Pokrovsk, a strategic logistical hub, for over a year, and recent reports suggest that Russian forces have infiltrated the town.

Despite suffering significant losses, capturing Pokrovsk could give Russia access to other critical areas in Donetsk, including the towns of Kramatorsk and Slovyansk.

Gen. Syrskiy confirmed that Ukrainian forces were under immense pressure from 'multi-thousand enemy groupings', but denied any encirclement. Meanwhile, Russian military sources claimed 90% of Pokrovsk was under their control.

With both countries embroiled in a fierce information battle, unverified videos circulating on social media depict close combat and persistent drone activity in the region. The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War noted that Russian troops were operating with increasing confidence within Pokrovsk, which has nearly been entirely evacuated of civilians.

Further Russian advances could jeopardize nearby Ukrainian positions, leading to encirclement risks for their forces in the vicinity of Myrnohrad.

Although Zelensky reported that Russia faced 'no success' in recent days, he acknowledged the situation in Pokrovsk continues to be challenging, with reports suggesting an overwhelming numerical advantage for Russian combatants.

Amidst the conflict, the humanitarian toll remains dire as Ukrainian cities face relentless missile attacks, affecting energy infrastructure as winter approaches. Ukrainian forces are retaliating with drone strikes on strategic Russian installations.