Battle of Pokrovsk: Ukraine defends itself against Russian encirclement!

Battle of Pokrovsk: Ukraine defends itself against Russian encirclement!

The military situation remains tense in the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, which is currently a bloody battlefield. However, according to the Ukrainian General Staff, there are still no Ukrainian soldiers encircled in the city. According to General Staff spokesman Andriy Kovalyov, Ukrainian units are working intensively to maintain logistical supplies while an operation to push Russian troops out of Pokrovsk is underway. This information was provided by Radio Ennepe Ruhr reported.

But the reality on the ground is significantly more complex. The city of Pokrovsk, where over 60,000 people lived before the war, is dominated by Russian troops, who now control around 60 percent of the city's area. A Ukrainian officer said that both Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad were already largely lost. Behind these operations is a massive Russian offensive aimed at simultaneously encircling both cities. This is what the Berliner Zeitung said in its current report, in which it describes the situation as extremely precarious: “The battle for Pokrovsk is the bloodiest flashpoint in the Ukrainian war.”

Military operations and the role of Ukrainian troops

Amid these developments, Army Chief Oleksandr Syrsky reiterated that Ukrainian armed forces are engaged in a "complex operation" aimed at destroying and pushing back Russian troops. Special military intelligence units and elite associations play a central role. In recent days, up to 250 Russian soldiers entered Pokrovsk while Ukrainian forces were forced to withdraw, further escalating the already tense situation.

The Ukrainian army has in the past established staggered defense lines that are intended to strategically enable a controlled withdrawal. Nevertheless, supplies for Ukrainian troops are at risk because logistics are under heavy attack. According to local Ukrainian military observers, only a narrow corridor remains for supply routes.

Geopolitical dimensions

Politically, complete control over Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad has not only military but also symbolic significance, as it could enable the Kremlin to gain power in Donbass. Experts such as political scientist Jerzy Maćków point to the geopolitical implications of Russian aggression, which have their roots in Halford John Mackinder's Heartland theory. This theory states that control over the Eurasian region is central to the global balance of power. Once again the question arises as to how the various international actors, above all Russia and Ukraine, are involved in these dynamic and dangerous developments.

Despite overwhelming circumstances, Ukraine remains steadfast and does everything it can to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty. President Volodymyr Zelensky recently visited the front lines to personally assess the situation. Amid fighting and setbacks, the main goal is clear: to strengthen resistance and preserve Ukrainian identity.