Russia on Monday announced that its forces have captured the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a strategic hub in the Donetsk region. While Moscow hailed the operation as a significant military achievement, Ukraine dismissed the claim, calling it a “loud statement” intended to influence ongoing diplomatic negotiations.

Russian Claim and Military Context

The Kremlin’s announcement comes after months of intense fighting for control of Pokrovsk. Thousands of Russian troops are reported to have been killed or injured during assaults on the city. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited frontline troops on Sunday, receiving briefings from General Valery Gerasimov, chief of the Russian General Staff, who reportedly informed him that Pokrovsk had been secured.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that video footage published by Moscow showed Russian soldiers raising the Russian flag in Pokrovsk’s city center, though CNN geolocated the area as one already under partial Russian control.

Putin described the operation as a success that would “ensure steady progress” toward broader war objectives, thanking commanders and personnel for their “successful actions.”

Ukraine Dismisses Moscow’s Announcement

Kyiv has not directly confirmed Russia’s claim. The Ukrainian General Staff stated on Tuesday that its forces had repelled multiple assaults in the Pokrovsk area, indicating that fighting continues in some parts of the city.

Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation, warned that Russia frequently uses such statements to apply diplomatic and psychological pressure on both Western audiences and Ukrainian negotiators. “These statements are intended exclusively for the Western audience to raise diplomatic stakes,” Kovalenko said.

Ukrainian monitoring group DeepState confirmed that Russian troops remain scattered across the city, while Ukrainian forces continue resisting via drones and targeted operations inside Pokrovsk.

Strategic Significance of Pokrovsk

Pokrovsk has long been a vital city due to its road and rail connections, facilitating movement of troops and supplies. However, continuous drone and artillery attacks on highways and rail lines have forced Ukraine to rely on alternative routes, reducing the city’s strategic value somewhat.

The conflict in Pokrovsk coincides with high-level diplomacy, as US special envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to meet Putin in Moscow, aiming to advance peace talks on ending the war. Observers note that Russia’s announcement could be intended to strengthen its bargaining position ahead of these negotiations.