Russian forces planned to capture the city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine a year ago, but those plans did not materialize. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that Ukrainian forces are successfully holding back the enemy near the city, which the Russians use only as a pretext to demonstrate their power.
According to Zelensky, 'Pokrovsk, in all their plans, orders, etc. – the 'Russians' were preparing to occupy it at least a year ago. Therefore, to say that everything is being done incorrectly now seems to me not very objective in terms of where we are now with Pokrovsk. They allocated such forces to Pokrovsk that Ukraine cannot send one to eight people in one direction. Just imagine how many 'Russian' forces are there. But at the same time, they have no planned result.'
Zelensky also emphasized that the Russians are trying to increase tension and restrain Ukraine by spreading disinformation about their full control over the east of the country. However, the Ukrainian troops are successfully repelling attacks and are in control of the situation on the front line.
It is noted that Russian forces directed their main strike precisely at Pokrovsk, but Ukrainian defenders respond to attacks and hold their positions, preventing the enemy from advancing deep into the territory. Attempts by the Russians to shift the main direction of the offensive to another city have also failed, and the situation remains under the control of the Ukrainian military.