Ukraine army's top commander denies reports of troops being blocked in Pokrovsk, Kupiansk

Russian forces are attempting to consolidate their presence and establish positions within the urban areas of Pokrovsk, but claims of the city being blockaded by Russian troops are false, according to the Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi.

Syrskyi stated that despite the difficult situation, Russian propaganda is spreading misinformation, UNIAN reports.

“The situation is difficult, but the statements of Russian propaganda about the alleged ‘blockade’ of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in Pokrovsk, as well as in Kupiansk, do not correspond to reality,” he said. “Meanwhile, in Pokrovsk, Russian infantry, avoiding direct combat, is accumulating within the city, changing positions — therefore, the primary task is to detect and destroy it.”

Syrskyi stressed the importance of reconnaissance and strike drones under current battlefield conditions.

“In addition to the Defense Forces, in the city, assault and search operations are being carried out and missions to eliminate the enemy are being performed by Air Assault Forces, assault regiments, Special Operations Forces, the Special Purpose Center, the Military Law Enforcement Service, the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Guard, the National Police of Ukraine, and others,” Syrskyi said.

The Commander-in-Chief also reported ongoing progress in the Dobropillia operation.

“As of today, assault units have advanced from 200 to 550 meters in certain directions. In total, during this operation, 186.8 km² of Ukrainian territory have been liberated, and 246.8 km² have been cleared of enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups,” he concluded.

By Khagan Isayev