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Russia deploys 170,000 troops in bid to seize key Ukrainian city
Russia has amassed approximately 170,000 soldiers in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region for a large-scale offensive to capture the strategic city of Pokrovsk, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed on Friday. This represents one of Moscow’s most significant troop deployments in a single area since the war began.
“The situation in Pokrovsk is difficult,” Zelensky acknowledged during a briefing in Kyiv, refuting Russian claims that the city is encircled. He confirmed that Russian units have entered parts of the city but emphasized that Ukrainian forces are systematically eliminating them. “There are Russians in Pokrovsk. They are being destroyed, gradually destroyed, because we must preserve our personnel,” Zelensky stated.
Russian gains amid heavy losses
Recent battlefield reports indicate that between 200 and 400 Russian soldiers have entrenched themselves in the eastern districts of Pokrovsk, engaging Ukrainian defenders in intense urban combat. Ukrainian military analysts estimate that Russian forces outnumber Ukrainian troops by a ratio of eight to one in the region, creating what a senior Ukrainian commander described as “near-critical conditions.”
Russian forces have adopted new tactics, utilizing small infiltration units over large-scale frontal assaults to gain ground in the city. Geolocated footage from October 30 shows Russian advances along the Donetska railway in central Pokrovsk. However, Ukrainian forces have successfully thwarted several Russian attempts to establish permanent positions.
General Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine’s armed forces, dismissed Russian propaganda claims of a “blockade” on Ukrainian troops, labeling such reports as “false.” He acknowledged, however, that Russian infantry is avoiding direct confrontation and instead consolidating its presence in urban areas while frequently changing positions.
Strategic stakes and broader implications
The capture of Pokrovsk would mark a significant strategic victory for Moscow, as the city serves as a critical supply and transport hub. Its seizure could pave the way for further Russian advances toward the still-Ukrainian-controlled cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. Pokrovsk sits at the crossroads of multiple supply highways and is home to a regionally vital railway station.
Ukraine’s Security Service chief, Vasyl Maliuk, noted that Russia had claimed it would take Pokrovsk “a year and three months ago,” but has since only advanced seven kilometers, losing “tens of thousands of soldiers” in the process. The prolonged battle reflects Russian President Vladimir Putin’s broader strategy to display military dominance and weaken U.S. confidence in Ukraine’s ability to sustain its defense.
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues its long-range strike campaign on Russian infrastructure. Maliuk reported over 160 successful attacks on Russian oil facilities this year, allegedly reducing domestic petroleum production by 20%. As winter approaches, Russian forces have escalated attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, contributing to a 30% rise in civilian casualties compared to 2024.