Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
The city is the “hottest spot” of the fronline with 50 clashes between Ukrainian and Russian troops every day.
The city is the “hottest spot” of the fronline with 50 clashes between Ukrainian and Russian troops every day.
What is happening?
The eastern town of Pokrovsk remains the most active and contested area along Ukraine’s 1,200-kilometer front, according to Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.
Russia has amassed its largest combat force here, totaling around 111,000 troops, in a bid to break through Ukrainian defenses.
Russia’s Main Focus Shifts to Pokrovsk
For several months, Russian forces have zeroed in on Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, launching relentless offensives in an attempt to gain ground.
The area has become a key strategic target in Russia’s broader campaign in eastern Ukraine.
Dnipropetrovsk: The Next Target?
Syrskyi reported that Russia is now attempting to push from Donetsk into neighboring Dnipropetrovsk Oblast — a region that has so far remained untouched by direct combat.
Ukraine has denied earlier reports of any Russian breaches into the region.
Intense Daily Combat Tests Ukrainian Defenses
On June 27, Syrskyi confirmed that Ukrainian forces are facing nearly 50 combat clashes each day in the Pokrovsk sector.
Despite the intensity, Ukrainian troops continue to hold their positions and repel Russian advances.
111,000 Russian Troops Concentrated in One Area
The sheer size of the Russian force near Pokrovsk underscores the area’s importance to Moscow’s military goals.
With 111,000 personnel deployed, Russia is banking heavily on a breakthrough here.
Russian Sabotage Thwarted at the Border
In recent weeks, Russia ramped up sabotage and assault operations near the Donetsk Oblast border.
However, Ukrainian forces successfully neutralized these threats, forcing Russian remnants to retreat.
Russian change of strategy
According to the think tank , The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russia originally tried to take Pokrovsk by charcing head on with massive numbers.
They now seem to have abandoned this trategy.
Encirclement coming
Instead, the Russian forces now seem to aim for an encirclement of the Ukrainian troops in Pokrovsk from the South and Southeast.
Ukrainian diversion again?
What made a big difference when Russia tried to take Pokrovsk back in the Fall of 2024 was that Ukraine launched a surprise raid into the Russian region of Kursk.
According to Syrski, this forced Russia to pull 63.000 Russian soldiers and 7000 North Korean from the front line, relieving some of the pressure for the Ukrainian defence.
Symbolic Stakes in Dnipropetrovsk
Syrskyi said Russia’s attempted incursion into Dnipropetrovsk carries not just military value but psychological symbolism.
The Kremlin aims to plant its flag and declare victory, even if the gain is purely performative.
Putin’s Propaganda vs. Ukraine’s Resolve
Putin’s June 20 speech declared any territory “stepped on” by Russian soldiers as inherently Russian.
President Zelensky fired back the next day, vowing “a Ukrainian drone for every Russian foot” to defend Ukrainian land.
Kremlin’s Peace Talk Claims Ring Hollow
Despite Putin claiming readiness for new peace talks on June 27,
Russia continues to demand Ukraine recognize the annexation of several regions — most of which remain contested or under Ukrainian control.
Russia’s Broader Ambitions in the South
Zelensky’s deputy chief of staff warned earlier in June that Russia’s long-term goal is to capture all territory east of the Dnipro River and move toward Odesa and Mykolaiv, cutting off Ukraine’s access to the Black Sea.
