Russia says its forces advance in ruins of Pokrovsk, Ukraine says defenders hold on | Russian Off…

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Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 2, 2025

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Russian forces continue to intensify offensive operations in and around Pokrovsk to seize the town and collapse the Ukrainian pocket. Both Ukrainian and Russian forces recently made tactical advances in the Pokrovsk area. Geolocated footage published on November 1 indicates that Russian forces recently advanced in southeastern Pokrovsk.[1] Additional geolocated footage published on November 2 shows Ukrainian forces striking two Russian soldiers in northern Pokrovsk conducting what ISW assesses was an infiltration mission that did not change the control of terrain or the forward edge of the battle area (FEBA).[2] Ukrainian military sources and Russian milbloggers recently stated that Russian forces are infiltrating into northern Pokrovsk.[3] Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces advanced in northeastern, central, and southern Pokrovsk; in northern and southeastern Myrnohrad; and south of Hnativka and Rih (all east of Pokrovsk).[4] A Russian milblogger reported that Ukrainian forces recaptured territory north of Zatyshok (northeast of Pokrovsk).[5] The Ukrainian General Staff reported on November 2 that Ukrainian forces recaptured 400 square meters in an unspecified area of the Pokrovsk direction, likely referring to recent tactical counterattacks north and northwest of Pokrovsk.[6]

Ukraine sends special forces to eastern city Pokrovsk amid Russia offensive

Ukrainian army chief says effort continues ‘to destroy and dislodge’ Russian forces from strategic Donetsk region city.

Ukraine has deployed special forces to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk, the country’s top military commander said, as Kyiv seeks to maintain control of the area amid an intense Russian offensive.

Russia has been trying to capture Pokrovsk, dubbed “the gateway to Donetsk”, since mid-2024 in its campaign to control the entirety of the eastern region.

“We are holding Pokrovsk,” Ukraine’s army chief Oleksandr Syrskii said on Facebook on Saturday. “A comprehensive operation to destroy and dislodge enemy forces from Pokrovsk is ongoing.”

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