A Russian flag has been spotted flying in the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk. Russian forces have been trying to seize the vital rail and logistics hub since a major offensive was launched in July 2024.
But, despite sustaining enormous losses, they have failed to take the city – thanks to heroic Ukrainian defence, which has inflicted tens of thousands of casualties on Vladimir Putin’s men.
However, as has often been the case since the invasion in 2022, Russia is making slow but undeniable progress. Earlier this week, reports suggested fighting was taking place in the city centre. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged that Russian forces now have a foothold in the city and that ‘sabotage groups’ are now operating there.
He estimated their number at around 200, and insisted the city had not yet fallen. However, Ukrainian defenders are under desperate pressure.
Russia’s Chief of General Staff, General Valery Gerasimov, has claimed that the city is surrounded, although that has been called into question by many analysts. Ukrainian troops are constantly harassed by huge numbers of Russian drones though, making resupply, evacuations, and troop rotations difficult.
Ukraine is also deploying massive numbers of drones itself to keep hold of the city. Not only are they used to strike or bomb Russian troops and positions, but also to resupply troops. Ground drones are even being used to evacuate casualties.
Now, video footage has shown a Russian flag flying at one of the ‘highway entrances’ to the city. It is not clear if it was planted by hand, drone, or other vehicle, and its material importance is negligible.
However, its symbolic value is significant. It shows Russian forces are able to operate at the city’s gates with relative impunity, and is likely to provide a propaganda victory for the Kremlin. Reports have suggested that it has since been destroyed, although this has not yet been confirmed.
Similar actions were recorded at Bakhmut and Avdiivka, both of which eventually fell to Russian forces after protracted battles – albeit with significant Russian casualties.
Pokrovsk sits ahead of the heavily fortified ‘fortress belt’ of Kramatorsk, Slovyansk, Kostyantynivka, and Druzhkivka, which Kyiv will be desperate to keep out of Russian hands.