Russia claims capture of Pokrovsk, 2.5 months after Putin’s announcement
Russian forces are attempting to advance in the Pokrovsk area, the Ukrainian military reported on Monday. According to the OSINT project DeepState, this marks the claimed completion of the city’s capture. The nearby city of Myrnohradwas taken a few days earlier, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Russia had already claimed control of these settlements in December, but the actual transition to Russian control is occurring just ahead of a new round of peace talks in Miami, expected next week.
Pokrovsk.
The situation in Pokrovsk is worsening, with Russian troops concentrating infantry in the northern part of the city, previously held by Ukrainian forces. Ukraine has attempted to reinforce the city with armored vehicles in recent days, but several vehicles were destroyed and personnel injured.
By Monday, Russian forces reportedly occupied almost all of Pokrovsk, with only small areas in the city center and north remaining in a “gray zone,” according to DeepState. ISW maps similarly show only a small northern section still contested. Analysts suggest the city is on the verge of falling under Russian control.
Some Ukrainian positions may still exist, but experts note that maintaining them is largely ineffective. According to military analyst Yan Matveyev, Pokrovsk was effectively captured in January, with no recent footage emerging from the city. Both DeepState and ISW reported continued Russian attempts to enter the nearby village of Hryshyno, with parts of it remaining contested.
Myrnohrad.
Myrnohrad, part of the Pokrovsk agglomeration, was captured by Russian forces on February 4, according to ISW. Evidence includes the deployment of Russian artillery and absence of Ukrainian positions. Russian command posts were reportedly moved to Myrnohrad a week earlier. Russian troops have taken dominant heights in both Myrnohrad and Pokrovsk, including deploying drone operators. DeepState has not fully confirmed the city’s capture; its northern section is still in the “gray zone,” but Russian forces continue to reinforce it.
Recent Offensive Activity.
Both pro-Ukrainian and pro-Russian sources report planned advances from each side. Ukrainian analyst Kostyantyn Mashovets noted on February 5 that Russia is conserving reserves for a planned summer offensive, which could start as early as April. ISW reports that Russian forces have been preparing a strategic reserve since July 2025.
On Monday, Russian-aligned blogger Yuriy Podolyaka claimed a Ukrainian counteroffensive in Zaporizhzhia, involving the redeployment of an assault corps near Huliaipole. He points to Ukrainian operations near Ternove as the start of this counterattack, though analysts caution it is too early to call it a full counteroffensive.
Context.
The operation to capture Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad began in August 2024. Before the war, over 100,000 people lived in these cities. In early December 2025, Putin announced full control over Pokrovsk; by late December, reports indicated the capture of Myrnohrad. Ukrainian forces, military analysts, and even some pro-Russian bloggers have not confirmed full control of these cities.
