(MENAFN) Russian troops have established a foothold in the key eastern Ukrainian town of Pokrovsk, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky, as Moscow presses its long-running campaign in the region.

Zelensky said Russian forces outnumber Ukrainian troops in the area by roughly 8 to 1, though he insisted that Moscow had not yet “achieved the planned result.” Pokrovsk, a vital supply and transport hub, has been a target for Russian forces for the past two years, as its capture would facilitate Moscow’s push to control the entire Donetsk region. Securing the town would also bring the heavily fortified “fortress belt” towns of Kramatorsk, Slovyansk, Kostyantynivka, and Druzhkivka within closer reach. Drone imagery reportedly shows about 200 Russian soldiers inside Pokrovsk.

Zelensky described the fighting as “difficult,” noting that sabotage groups had entered the town, though he rejected claims by Russia’s Chief of General Staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, that Ukrainian forces had been completely surrounded. In contrast, Russia’s defense ministry stated that its troops had encircled Ukrainian units near the main railway station and cleared the Troyanda district of Ukrainian presence.

Ukrainian soldiers on the ground emphasized the technological nature of the modern battlefield. Artem Pribylnov of the 155th Brigade noted that while prior assaults allowed troops to move in and out of encircled areas, drone-monitored access points now make advances extremely hazardous. Capt. Hryhoriy Shapoval, spokesperson for Ukraine’s East operational group, reported that 79 attacks near Pokrovsk had been repelled since Monday, nearly a third of all 218 assaults across the front line. Russian forces have concentrated troops and armored vehicles to shield their infantry, making counteractions challenging, especially under foggy and rainy conditions that limit drone effectiveness.

The situation highlights the high human and operational cost of even minor advances along the front line. Street-level clashes continue, with both sides using drone technology to strike deep behind enemy lines. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, Moscow occupies roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory.

Zelensky emphasized Ukraine’s urgent need for sustained European financial support to continue its defense for the next two to three years. Efforts to divert $150 billion in frozen Russian assets to Ukraine were blocked at a recent EU summit, but the proposal will be revisited in December. He also expressed hope that an upcoming meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping could lead to China reducing its support for Russia. Last week, Trump sanctioned Russian oil giants Lukoil and Rosneft and urged Turkey and China to halt Russian oil imports, a move Zelensky called potentially decisive if China follows suit.

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