Ukraine has deployed special forces to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel a major Russian offensive involving thousands of troops, according to Kyiv’s top commander. The escalation comes as overnight Russian drone and missile strikes killed six people, including two children, and cut power to tens of thousands across Ukraine.
Pokrovsk, described as “the gateway to Donetsk”, lies on a crucial supply route for the Ukrainian army and has been a target for Moscow for over a year as it seeks full control of the Donetsk region. Its capture would mark Russia’s most significant territorial gain since taking Avdiivka in early 2024. At least 200 Russian soldiers have breached the city’s defences, with others approaching in a pincer movement, according to battlefield maps.
Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said on Saturday he had ordered “consolidated groups of special operations forces” to operate in the city. “We are holding Pokrovsk,” he stated, denying reports that the city had been encircled. He acknowledged pressure from an “enemy group thousands strong” but said a comprehensive operation to destroy and dislodge enemy forces was ongoing.
Deepstate, a Ukrainian frontline map, indicates Russian troops control a small southern part of the city, with much of the rest contested. Syrskyi added that enemy units continued to infiltrate residential areas and attempt to cut supply routes. Russia’s defence ministry claimed its troops had killed all 11 members of the Ukrainian special forces team, but a Ukrainian official denied this, saying the operation was continuing.
Meanwhile, regional officials reported an overnight drone strike set an oil tanker and infrastructure ablaze at Russia’s Tuapse port, home to a major oil export terminal. Russian officials said two foreign civilian vessels were damaged but no casualties occurred. The battle for Pokrovsk comes as data shows Russia fired more missiles at Ukraine in October than any other month since early 2023.
