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Zelensky declares Pokrovsk defense a priority as elite troops deploy to eastern front
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has designated the defense of Pokrovsk as a top military priority, as Kyiv deploys elite special forces to reinforce the embattled eastern town amid escalating Russian advances. The strategic Donbas hub, a critical transport and supply node, has faced intensified attacks for over a year, with Moscow aiming to seize control to strengthen its leverage in the broader conflict.
Special forces redeployed to stabilize front lines
Ukrainian military sources confirmed to the BBC that special forces from the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (GUR) and assault units-typically reserved for high-risk operations-are now being used as infantry to secure supply routes to Pokrovsk. The move signals Kyiv's determination to hold the town, which Russian forces have targeted relentlessly since 2023.
Local reports indicate Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's military intelligence, personally oversaw operations in the region, underscoring the town's strategic importance. Analysts warn that Pokrovsk's capture could accelerate Russia's push deeper into Donbas while bolstering Moscow's narrative of military success to pressure Western allies.
Contested terrain and operational challenges
Satellite imagery and open-source intelligence group DeepState estimate roughly half of Pokrovsk remains a "grey zone," where neither side maintains full control. A military source in Donetsk told the BBC that while Ukrainian forces are not physically encircled, their logistics-including the critical railway station and industrial zone-face relentless Russian fire, forcing a shift from vehicular to foot-based resupply efforts.
The US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted Ukrainian counterattacks north of Pokrovsk had yielded "marginal advances," but described the town as "mainly contested." Meanwhile, Russia's defense ministry claimed to have repelled a Ukrainian special forces insertion near Pokrovsk, alleging all 11 troops deployed by helicopter were killed-a claim Kyiv has not publicly addressed.
Zelensky's stance and broader geopolitical stakes
In his nightly address, Zelensky reiterated Pokrovsk's significance, stating:
His remarks align with Kyiv's rejection of Moscow's demand for a full Ukrainian withdrawal from Donbas, a precondition Russia has tied to any peace deal."Pokrovsk is our priority. We continue to destroy the occupier, and that is what matters most... They must be halted where they have reached-and destroyed there."
The escalation coincides with growing US frustration over stalled negotiations. Washington recently imposed sanctions on two major Russian oil producers and canceled a planned summit between President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, citing Moscow's lack of progress toward diplomacy. Zelensky has signaled openness to Trump's proposed ceasefire along current front lines, though Russia insists on Ukraine's complete withdrawal from Donbas.
Strategic implications of Pokrovsk's fate
Military analysts warn that losing Pokrovsk could unravel Ukraine's defensive posture in Donbas, enabling Russia to consolidate gains and project momentum toward other key cities. The town's railway infrastructure is vital for Ukrainian troop rotations and ammunition deliveries, while its capture would allow Russia to claim a symbolic victory amid waning Western military support.
Ukraine's deployment of elite units-including GUR operatives-reflects the high stakes. As one Donetsk-based military source told the BBC:
The outcome in Pokrovsk may shape not only the battlefield but also Kyiv's leverage in future negotiations."The situation has changed so drastically that [Ukraine's commander-in-chief, General Oleksandr Syrsky] is now committing elite units to stabilize the city."
