Russia probably captured Pokrovsk, but it was not a “triumph” for it: ISW named the reason

Pokrovsk ceased to be the “key to Donbas” back in the summer.

Although the Kremlin called Pokrovsk an opening to the entire Donetsk region, the real situation on the frontline once again proves the futility of Moscow’s strategic hopes. According to ISW analysts , the probable capture of the city took place over the past few weeks, but it did not bring the aggressor the expected triumph.

Analysts recalled that the assault on Pokrovsk, which was home to 60,000 people before the war, lasted almost two years. The Russians began moving in this direction in February 2024 after the fall of Avdiivka. Direct frontal attacks lasted 21 months before the enemy managed to occupy most of the city in December 2025.

ISW notes that the last time the presence of Ukrainian units in Pokrovsk itself was recorded was on January 28. This gives reason to believe that the city has only recently come under the full control of the enemy.

Why wasn’t the capture of Pokrovsk a “breakthrough”?

According to the report, Russian propaganda claimed that capturing the city would “open the way” for a further offensive. Pokrovsk was an important hub, but Russian strikes in July 2025 effectively destroyed its ability to be used as a logistics hub. By the time it fell, the city had ceased to fulfill its strategic role. Read also:

According to analysts, since December 2025, the occupiers have not demonstrated any significant advance to the west or northwest. The enemy has not yet been able to capture even the village of Hryshyne, located only two kilometers from Pokrovsk. Another important fact is that Pokrovsk is much smaller in area and population than Kramatorsk or Slavyansk. The fact that the Russian Federation spent two years capturing one small city calls into question the ability of the occupiers to break through the main “belt of fortresses” of Donbas.

It is noted that the fighting for Mirnograd, located east of Pokrovsk, continued for another month after the Russian Defense Ministry first reported on the successes, which once again emphasizes the low speed of the enemy’s advance, experts emphasize.

According to analysts, the Ukrainian command continues to hold the front around the captured node. As of February 25, the situation in the Pokrovsky direction remains under control. As reported by the spokesman for the “East” group of forces, Major Hryhoriy Shapoval, the Defense Forces firmly hold positions in eight settlements: Sukhetske, Suvorov, Nykanorivka, Dorozhne, Ivanovka, Novye Shakhove, Novye Donbas and Vilne.

War in Ukraine

UNIAN previously wrote about the forecasts of commander Vyacheslav Gudzya about the battles near Pokrovsk. The occupation forces will try to use the favorable weather conditions and the state of the soil to conduct larger-scale offensive operations involving a large number of armored vehicles. Ukrainian defenders predict that the enemy will focus its efforts on breaking through the defensive lines in order to reach strategically important logistical hubs in the region.

We would like to add that earlier analysts reported on the critical situation around Myrnograd , as the Russian occupation forces are actually completing the capture of the city. The enemy has broken through to the central districts and key industrial facilities, which significantly complicates the further defense of the settlement. The loss of control over the dominant heights and waste dumps has allowed the enemy to establish fire control over the main supply routes of Ukrainian units. The defense forces are forced to wage heavy street battles in conditions of dense construction, trying to restrain the overwhelming forces of the invaders.

(c)UNIAN 2026