• Ukraine claims its troops are still resisting in Pokrovsk amid Russian advances.
• President Zelenskyy emphasized the "difficult" situation but insists Ukrainian forces are countering Russian claims.
• Russian forces are attempting a pincer movement aimed at encircling the city.
• Ukrainian special forces have been deployed to enhance defense in Pokrovsk.
• Civilian casualties have risen amid the escalating conflict, according to UN officials.

As the battle for Pokrovsk intensifies, Ukrainian forces are reportedly resisting Russian claims of encirclement. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated there are around 170,000 Russian troops in Donetsk, describing the situation as "difficult" but asserting that Ukrainian defenders are actively countering Russian advances. "We need to preserve our personnel," he emphasized, indicating a strong defensive strategy despite Russian infiltration in certain parts of the city according to Indiatimes and Channel News Asia.

Ukraine’s military leadership insists that its troops are still holding out in the embattled city of Pokrovsk, which Russia claims to surround in a pincer movement. Ukrainian army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported ongoing efforts to dislodge Russian forces, asserting that "a comprehensive operation to destroy" the enemy is in place. He stated that while the situation remains "dynamic," improvements in tactical positions have been made in several quarters of the city, as reported by Reuters and Al Jazeera.

Meanwhile, Russian officials have claimed significant advances in Pokrovsk, stating their forces have repelled Ukrainian attempts to break out and recover ground. The Ministry of Defence of Russia also accused Ukrainian troops of laying down arms in some areas, a claim challenged by Ukrainian military sources who stated that operations are ongoing to reinforce their positions and improve defense capabilities. Reports mention a chaotic environment where both sides contend for control, highlighted by the differing accounts from the battlefield as cited by Reuters and Channel News Asia.

The strategic significance of Pokrovsk is underscored by its location; it serves as a crucial supply route for the Ukrainian army. Capturing the city would represent a significant territorial gain for Russia and a setback for Ukraine, which continues to hold 10% of the Donbas region against a backdrop of intense conflict, according to Indiatimes, Reuters, and Al Jazeera.