Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that fierce fighting is ongoing in Pokrovsk and nearby areas, with Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups operating there and logistics proving difficult, but it is essential to continue inflicting maximum losses on Russian forces.

Source: Zelenskyy in his evening address

Quote: "In recent days there has been good news from our Ukrainian paratroopers. Thank you to our 82nd Bukovyna Brigade on the Pokrovsk front, in the Myrnohrad hromada. Every such result on the Pokrovsk front is hard-won, but extremely important. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories – ed.]

It is there, against Pokrovsk, that the Russians have concentrated their main assault group – a significant number of occupying troops. Of course this makes the situation difficult in Pokrovsk and all the neighbouring areas. Fierce fighting is taking place everywhere, and on the approaches to the city. There are sabotage groups in the city, and logistics are difficult. But we must continue to destroy the occupiers and continue to inflict as many losses on Russian forces as possible."

Details: Zelenskyy emphasised that Russia's offensive plans for the past 10 months have once again collapsed due to the bravery of Ukrainian soldiers.

"All the deadlines that Putin gave them, the Russian army has failed to meet – and not for the first time," he said.

Zelenskyy also noted that "a lot has been achieved as part of the Dobropillia operation" and that these areas have contributed to a significant increase in Ukraine's POW exchange pool.

Background:

• Two days ago, Ukrainska Pravda reported that there were at least 250 Russian troops in Pokrovsk, engaging in firefights and killing Ukrainian soldiers at their positions, particularly drone operators. Logistics into the city are fully controlled by drones, and Ukrainian troops have to walk 10-15 km to reach their positions. Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad are at risk of encirclement.
• The next day, Colonel Hryhorii Shapoval, spokesperson for Operational Strategic Group Skhid (East), told journalists that street fighting is ongoing in Pokrovsk, but the situation is "under control and expected, not critical". He said the reason soldiers walk to their positions is "to be less visible to the enemy". Shapoval also emphasised that no positions near Pokrovsk were cut off: "No one is cut off. The defence forces are holding the line."
• Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, later stressed that commanders must not distort or conceal the real frontline situation in their reports.
• On 26 October, Ukraine's General Staff reported that the Russians have amassed around 200 troops in Pokrovsk.

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