Putin's assertion of capturing Pokrovsk challenged by Ukraine as stronghold remains undefeated

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that his forces had taken control of the strategic eastern city of Pokrovsk just hours before meeting with US envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow. However, Ukrainian officials rejected the claim, asserting that the city remains under contested control and accusing Russia of spreading disinformation.

Speaking late Monday, Putin described the reported advance as an important direction during his third uniformed inspection of military positions near the frontlines within a month. Russian state television aired footage showing troops raising a Russian flag in the center of the damaged city. Moscow claims to have held the city center for several weeks, while Ukraine maintains that the northern districts remain under its control.

Ukrainian soldiers reported on Tuesday that they had repelled the unit that planted the flag, emphasizing that fighting continues in this critical logistics hub in eastern Donetsk. The Ukrainian militarys eastern command confirmed via social media that search and assault operations and the elimination of the enemy in urban areas continue in Pokrovsk.

President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on social media that Russia was engaging in new disinformation campaigns ahead of the American delegations visit, without mentioning Pokrovsk specifically. Analysts from the Ukrainian open-source intelligence project DeepState noted that significant portions of the city remain contested, corroborating independent assessments.

Pokrovsk, formerly known as Krasnoarmiisk, has been a focal point of heavy fighting for over a year. Its railway and road networks make it a key strategic location, though Ukraine has had to rely on alternative supply lines due to repeated drone and artillery attacks. Despite expectations that Russia may eventually capture the city, Ukrainian forces continue to launch drone strikes and other attacks against Russian positions.

Experts suggest that Russias announcement, coinciding with Mr. Witkoffs sixth visit this year, could be intended to strengthen Moscows negotiating leverage and delay a ceasefire. Capturing Pokrovsk would mark one of Russias most significant territorial gains in recent months and signal progress to the American delegation regarding the Donetsk region.

Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraines center for countering disinformation, stated that Moscows claims are exclusively for Western audiences and to raise the stakes in diplomacy. Mr. Witkoff, alongside Jared Kushner, was scheduled to meet with Putin to discuss a revised peace plan incorporating input from Ukrainian officials.

Historically, Russia has frequently exaggerated battlefield successes. In November, General Valery Gerasimov claimed the capture of Kupyansk at a moment coinciding with a US peace proposal, a claim disputed even by Russian military analysts. A former Russian military cartographer later revealed that he had been forced to create maps depicting non-existent advances.

If Russian forces were to secure Pokrovsk, it would provide a potential route northward toward Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, the largest cities still under Ukrainian control in Donetsk. Recent data analysis indicates that Russia made its most substantial advances since November 2024. Russian media have framed the claimed gains as leverage to resist US pressure in peace negotiations.

Komsomolskaya Pravda described the advance as an indication that more Ukrainian territories are coming under our control, while Rossiyskaya Gazeta suggested there is no rush in talks. Russian commanders also informed Putin that forces were advancing along the entire front and had taken Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region. Ukrainian officials have not confirmed these developments.

Author: Ava Mitchell