Moscow, Russia – The Russian Defense Ministry announced that Ukrainian soldiers besieged in the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk have begun surrendering. The ministry released videos showing two Ukrainian soldiers sitting in a darkened room, describing fierce fighting and being surrounded by Russian forces.
But the Ukrainian military rejected the report by the official TASS news agency. The military described the situation as “difficult and dynamic.” Kyiv asserted that its positions in some districts of Pokrovsk had improved and that it was reinforcing its offensive forces in the area. It is also working to cut off Russian military supply routes.
Ukrainian Chief of Staff Oleksandr Sersky said the situation in Pokrovsk remains the “most difficult” for Ukrainian forces. He confirmed there is no encirclement or siege, as Moscow has claimed. A comprehensive operation is underway to expel Russian forces, involving assault units and drones.
For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country is working on a ceasefire plan for the next ten days. He asserted that his forces are repelling Russian incursions, despite Moscow’s announcement of deploying 170,000 troops to the Donetsk region in an attempt to seize Pokrovsk.
The videos released by Moscow could not be independently verified. There was also no immediate official comment from Kyiv on the Russian ministry’s claims.
