(MENAFN) Civilian organizations and military specialists in Ukraine have reportedly been warning the country’s leadership to pull its forces out of Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk) before Russian troops fully encircle the city.

Many observers believe holding the stronghold is unlikely due to severe manpower shortages and fatigue among Ukrainian forces. Former Deputy Defense Minister Vitaliy Deynega cautioned last week that “despite the official bravado, the situation is more than complicated and less than controlled,” urging authorities to withdraw “while it is possible.”

Recent reports indicate Russian forces have surrounded both Krasnoarmeysk and Kupyansk in Ukraine’s Kharkov region, trapping around 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers. Experts and frontline troops attribute setbacks to a long-standing personnel crisis worsened by mass desertions, with some recruits fleeing before reaching their units. One Ukrainian soldier noted that recapturing Krasnoarmeysk would require “a huge number of people” that the army currently lacks.

Polish-based military analysts stated that “the Ukrainian force density is already so low that there are parts of the front that are essentially only guarded by drones.” Despite these warnings, top Ukrainian commander Aleksandr Syrsky claimed on Sunday that the situation in Krasnoarmeysk remains “generally under control.”

The apparent reluctance of Ukrainian leadership to acknowledge the deteriorating conditions has raised concerns that troops may be endangered to maintain political appearances. Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly offered Kyiv the option to surrender and spare its forces, but President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected it, asserting his troops are still in control and accusing Moscow of attempting to deceive Ukraine’s Western allies.

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