Vladimir Putin announced that the Russian army had captured Pokrovsk, calling it a "important victory". Ukraine, however, denies it. This is not the first time Russia has announced such news.
Ukraine has rejected Russia's claim that it has completely captured the city of Pokrovsk. Ukrainian troops continue to control the northern part of the city, the Ukrainian army told Reuters. In addition, Ukrainian units are striking in the southern part of the city, where Russian troops have an advantage.
"The elimination of the enemy in the urban areas of Pokrovsk continues," the Eastern Command of the Ukrainian army said in online media. The Russian soldiers who raised the Russian flag in the city center have fled. According to the Ukrainian military, this was a propaganda action.
Shortly before the meeting with the US special envoy Steve Witkoff, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the Russian army had captured the strategically important city in eastern Ukraine. In a video address, Putin said that the capture was an important victory that would help Russia achieve its military goals.
Fierce fighting for Pokrovsk - for more than a year now
This is not the first time that Russia has announced the complete capture of the city. Pokrovsk is located in the Donetsk region and is considered an important logistics center. Several roads and railways intersect there, which are important for supplying the Ukrainian army. The city has been the subject of fierce fighting since the fall of 2024 and is currently almost completely destroyed.
The Russian army has been trying to take Pokrovsk for more than a year. Since September, hundreds of Russian soldiers have invaded the city. In November, Ukraine sent reinforcements, including special forces. Kiev has always denied that Ukrainian soldiers are surrounded.
Russia has also announced that the city of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region, which has been the subject of fighting since May 2024, has been taken. But this has not been confirmed by Ukraine either.