Fierce fighting continues in eastern Ukraine as Russian troops advance in Pokrovsk, putting the Donetsk region and key supply routes under threat.
Russian forces have made a significant push in eastern Ukraine, gaining a foothold in the strategic town of Pokrovsk, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The town, a vital supply and transport hub, has been under Russian assault for nearly two years, with Moscow aiming to strengthen its hold on the Donetsk region.
Zelensky described the situation as “difficult”, noting that Russian troops outnumber Ukrainian forces 8-to-1 in the area. While Russia has concentrated its soldiers and equipment, Zelensky emphasized that Moscow had not yet achieved its planned results.
Street Battles and Drone Warfare
Drone imagery reportedly shows around 200 Russian soldiers inside Pokrovsk, and Zelensky warned that sabotage groups had entered the town. Despite claims from Russia’s Chief of General Staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, that Ukrainian forces were encircled, Ukrainian troops maintain that they are not completely trapped.
Capt. Hryhoriy Shapoval, spokesperson for Ukraine’s East operational group, said 79 attacks near Pokrovsk had been repelled since Monday, illustrating the intensity of the ongoing conflict. Russian forces are using armored vehicles to cover infantry advances, while Kyiv relies heavily on drones to counter these moves.
Weather conditions, including fog and rain, have complicated Ukrainian defense operations, making it harder to detect and target advancing troops. Despite this, Ukrainian soldiers remain determined, exemplifying the high cost of even small gains in the battle for strategic towns.
Geopolitical and Economic Pressure
Beyond the battlefield, Ukraine’s defense capabilities are increasingly stretched. Zelensky has called for stable financial support from European allies, warning that the country may need aid to continue resisting Russian forces for another two to three years.
Efforts to redirect €140bn in frozen Russian assets to Ukraine were blocked at a recent EU summit, though the proposal will be revisited in December. Zelensky also hopes that upcoming discussions between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping could reduce China’s support for Russia.
Trump recently sanctioned Russian oil giants Lukoil and Rosneft, urging China and Turkey to halt purchases of Russian oil — a move Zelensky believes could significantly pressure Moscow economically.
Strategic Implications
The capture of Pokrovsk would give Russia easier access to other key towns in the so-called “fortress belt,” including Kramatorsk, Slovyansk, Kostyantynivka, and Druzhkivka. These towns are heavily fortified, and controlling them would bring Moscow closer to occupying the entire Donetsk region.
The ongoing battle demonstrates that while Russia’s forces may have numerical superiority, Ukraine’s technological capabilities and determination continue to slow Moscow’s advance.
The situation in Pokrovsk highlights the complex, high-stakes nature of the war in eastern Ukraine, where every inch of territory carries strategic weight. As fighting rages on, the world watches closely, aware that support from allies and technological innovation could shape the next phase of the conflict.