The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed that about 200 Russian soldiers are in Pokrovsk. According to the department, gunfights are taking place in the city. Earlier, "Ukrainian Truth" reported on the "more than critical situation" in Pokrovsk:
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the presence of 200 Russian military personnel in the city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. The situation in this area "remains complicated," as "the enemy has an advantage in numbers and is increasing offensive efforts." The corresponding statement was published on the Telegram channel of the Ukrainian military department on Sunday, October 26.
"The enemy, by using interposition space and small infantry groups, has accumulated about 200 servicemen in the city. Gunfights continue in the populated area, and UAV units are actively operating," the General Staff stated. It was also noted that attempts by the Russian army to "advance deeper and establish themselves in urban development are being prevented through counter-diversionary measures."
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine also reported that over the past 10 days, control has been restored over two populated areas - the villages of Kucherov Yar and Sukhetske. "Since August 21, 2025, the situation in this section (in the "Ocheretynskyi segment" near Pokrovsk - Ed.) has stabilized, control has been restored over nine populated areas, and another nine have been cleared of enemy diversionary groups," the department stated.
"Ukrainian Truth": 250 Russian soldiers engage in gunfights in Pokrovsk
On October 24, the newspaper "Ukrainian Truth," citing sources in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, reported that the situation in the city is "more than critical" and that at least 250 Russian soldiers are already present there. It was noted that they are engaging in gunfights and "shooting at Ukrainian soldiers in positions, particularly UAV operators." Additionally, the Russian army is controlling logistics with the help of drones, forcing Ukrainian soldiers to walk 10-15 km to their positions.
Logistical issues are also affecting the nearby small town of Myrnohrad, the newspaper indicated. "Ukrainian soldiers have already recorded Russians in the north of Myrnohrad. Defenders of Myrnohrad risk being surrounded," the publication noted.
General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces: Encirclement of Ukrainian soldiers completed in two directions
The comment from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine followed a few hours after the head of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov, reported to Russian President Vladimir Putin about the "completion of the encirclement" of Ukrainian troops in the Pokrovsk and Kupiansk directions. It is claimed that in the first area, 5,500 soldiers are encircled, and in the second - up to 5,000.
Moreover, Gerasimov announced the encirclement of Kupiansk. Fighting around the city, which was under Russian occupation from February to September 2022, resumed in the summer of 2023.
Earlier, Ukrainian authorities announced the evacuation of 40 villages near Kupiansk
Since September, entry into Kupiansk for civilians has been closed. On October 14, Ukrainian authorities began the evacuation of families from dozens of villages located near the city of Kupiansk, where fighting with the Russian army is ongoing. This decision was made due to the "escalation of the situation" in the region. A total of 409 families with 601 children were planned to be evacuated from 40 populated areas.
