Ukrainian military commander-in-chief General Oleksandr Syrskyi stated Monday that 110,000 troops have been deployed around the eastern city of Pokrovsk to counter Russia’s intensified push for control. Pokrovsk, once home to 60,000 residents, has become the focal point of what Syrskyi calls the “hottest fighting zone” on Ukraine’s sprawling eastern front.

Pokrovsk: Tactical and Symbolic Importance

Though relatively small, Pokrovsk lies on key road and railway lines that connect Ukraine’s military positions across Donetsk. Together with nearby cities Kostiantynivka, Kramatorsk, and Sloviansk, it forms the last significant stronghold against Russian advances in the oblast.

Russia’s Renewed Offensive

Despite possessing troop and equipment superiority, Russia has failed to capture Pokrovsk after nearly a year of assaults. President Vladimir Putin has made full control of Donetsk and Luhansk a central war goal. Ukrainian officials accuse Russia of stalling peace talks in order to gain more ground.

Civilian Displacement and Urban Damage

Most of Pokrovsk’s prewar population has fled since Russia’s 2022 invasion. Satellite and ground images show extensive damage to apartment blocks, underscoring the toll of prolonged artillery and drone attacks.