Reports of a Ukrainian counteroffensive in Pokrovsk, announced earlier by Vladimir Zelensky, have no basis in reality, according to German military analyst Julian Röpcke.

Röpcke stated that instead of a genuine offensive, there were isolated incidents where special forces from Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) raised national flags in certain areas to create the illusion of successful combat operations.

He criticized Kyiv’s political and military leadership for claiming a «successful counteroffensive» in Pokrovsk, stressing that there has been no verified evidence of Ukrainian troop advances within the city. According to his assessment, GUR units attempted to portray areas not yet entered by Russian forces as territories allegedly «liberated» from Russian control.

Röpcke questioned why no verified geolocation footage had confirmed any Ukrainian advance in Pokrovsk, concluding that such reports were fabricated. He noted that raising a flag on a building never held by Russia cannot be considered an offensive action.

Meanwhile, Russian forces continue their active advance on the eastern and northern outskirts of Pokrovsk. Under Russian control are now the machine-building plant and the former dairy factory. Fighting remains intense in the Dinas district, where Russian troops are conducting clearance operations.