Ukrainian troops return to Pokrovsk, retake nearly half the city — Syrskyi

According to him, the total area of Pokrovsk is about 29 square kilometers, and Ukrainian troops now hold the northern part of the city roughly along the railway line. In addition, the Defense Forces control about 54 square kilometers overall.

At the same time, Syrskyi confirmed the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from positions 5-7 km from Pokrovsk — from the Sukhyi Yar, Lysivka and Novopavlivka village area. The army commander-in-chief explained that further holding of these positions was impractical and that Ukrainian soldiers' lives should be preserved.

He also assured that Myrnohrad is not encircled, adding that logistics are complicated but ongoing.

Syrskyi said Russia is now increasing the size of its grouping on the Pokrovsk axis, which already numbers 156,000.

Situation on the Pokrovsk axis

In early December, Russia claimed full capture of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast. Meanwhile, the Armed Forces General Staff emphasized that Ukrainian troops continue defensive operations.

Earlier, Defense Forces said the defensive operation in Pokrovsk was complicated by dense fog. Troops reported that Russian forces are trying to use reduced visibility to build up forces and prepare for further offensives.

Syrskyi said Ukrainian fighters in the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration must hold back pressure from a multi-thousand-strong Russian grouping that continues attempts to infiltrate residential areas and cut supply routes. However, he stressed that there is no encirclement or blockade of the cities. According to him, a comprehensive operation is underway to destroy Russian forces and push them out of Pokrovsk.

Still, some troops interviewed by hromadske question the possibility of clearing the city due to the enemy's superiority.