14:56 06-11-2025

The Guardian: Russian Forces Gain Full Control in Pokrovsk

The Guardian reports Russian troops now operate across all districts of Pokrovsk, calling it a turning point in the Donbass battle as Ukrainian forces face encirclement.

Russian forces continue to expand their control in the strategically significant city of Pokrovsk, according to a report published by The Guardian. The outlet describes the situation as a potential turning point in the long and grueling battle for Donbass.

Citing recent data, the publication notes that Russian troops are now present in all districts of Pokrovsk. Analysts characterize the situation for Ukrainian forces as critical, as Russian units reportedly need to advance only a few more kilometers to complete the encirclement of the remaining Ukrainian positions.

The Guardian highlights that Pokrovsk serves as a key logistical hub, and its capture would pave the way for Russia to gain control over the entire territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic.

The report also observes a shift in Russian tactics in recent weeks. Whereas earlier operations relied on small assault groups, Moscow’s forces have now concentrated substantial manpower and resources for a full-scale offensive.

On the Ukrainian side, the Armed Forces are said to be struggling with multiple challenges — including personnel shortages, constant strikes on supply lines by Russian drones, and the growing threat posed by new types of weapons, particularly rocket-assisted glide bombs that add pressure on Ukraine’s air defenses.

Despite official statements from Kyiv denying any encirclement in Pokrovsk, independent sources depict a far more alarming reality. The DeepState monitoring project reports that the situation remains extremely tense, with large parts of the city and its outskirts existing in what it calls a «gray zone." Ukrainian soldiers have also confirmed that Russian troops are operating across all sectors of Pokrovsk.

According to the article, some Western and Ukrainian analysts have begun questioning the strategic value of continuing the city’s defense, warning that Kyiv risks repeating past mistakes seen in Ugledar and Kursk — when the refusal to organize an orderly withdrawal led to severe losses.