Ukrainian Forces Continue to Defend Pokrovsk Against Russian Claims of Capture

Tue Dec 09 2025 16:13:20 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a display of resilience, Ukrainian soldiers in Pokrovsk raise their national flag to affirm their ongoing control of the city, despite Russian claims of its capture. Eyewitnesses report on the tense front lines as battles rage on.

Ukrainian soldiers in Pokrovsk assert their control over the city, raising the national flag amid ongoing conflict with Russian forces. Despite losing ground, commanders emphasize the importance of proving their resolve to the world. The situation remains tense, with both sides suffering casualties, as the battle for this strategically significant city continues.

Pokrovsk has not fallen yet. That is despite President Vladimir Putin's recent claim that Russian forces have taken the city.

There is no doubt Ukraine has been losing ground in this key city in the east. For Russia, Pokrovsk is another stepping stone towards its goal of taking control of all of the Donbas. But Ukraine needs to prove it is still capable of resisting.

At a Ukrainian command post, well behind the front line, orders are relayed by radio in rapid and quick succession. Soldiers watch dozens of live drone feeds. They are coordinating strikes on Russian positions inside the city.

The commander of the Skala Assault Regiment, Yuri, is keen to prove to us that Ukraine still controls the north of the city - to show that the Kremlin's claim that it has taken Pokrovsk is a lie.

Over the radio, they ask two of their soldiers to break cover from a building to display a Ukrainian flag. They move quickly to avoid being spotted. The drone feed shows the moment they briefly wave their yellow and blue flag, before quickly returning to cover.

Yuri tells me: You've now seen it with your own eyes. He emphasizes, I think the whole world should know we will not just give up our territory. If we do not show this, everyone will lose faith and stop helping Ukraine.

The battle for Pokrovsk, once a key logistics hub for Ukraine's military, has been grinding on for nearly 18 months. The city is already in ruins.

The fighting is taking its toll on Ukrainian forces, but there is no sign of them giving up. Those tracking the Russian advances suggest Ukrainian forces barely have a hold on the city.

Russia has suffered heavy casualties, but still has more troops. Ukrainian soldier Rabbit mentions the difficulties and describes the situation as 'hard but under control.'

Moreover, the Skala Regiment shares recent videos detailing their frontline struggles, underlining the heavy automatic fire they endure amid drone surveillance.

In contrast to the soldiers' resolve, there's a call from warriors like the Skala Regiment's deputy commander, Godfather, for Europe and the U.S. to take decisive actions rather than engage in bureaucratic talks.

As the battle continues, the reality is grim: while defenders maintain their position, the cost of sustaining such resistance weighs heavily.