The commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, has issued a stark warning about escalating Russian military activity around the strategic town of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. Describing the situation as ‘difficult,’ Syrskyi confirmed that Russian infantry is massing in the area, though he dismissed claims of a Ukrainian blockade as ‘untrue’ propaganda. Pokrovsk, a critical transport and supply hub, has become a focal point in Russia’s efforts to advance further into eastern Ukraine, potentially paving the way for the capture of key cities like Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. General Syrskyi emphasized the importance of identifying and neutralizing Russian forces while maintaining a balance between military objectives and capabilities. He stressed that preserving the lives of Ukrainian soldiers remains the top priority. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky echoed these concerns, stating that Russian forces outnumber Ukrainians in Pokrovsk by eight to one and that Moscow aims to use the town as a propaganda tool to convince the United States of Ukraine’s retreat. Defense intelligence firm Sybelline and Ukrainian monitoring group Deepstate both reported that the battle for Pokrovsk has intensified, with Russian forces making significant advances and disrupting Ukrainian supply routes. Deepstate warned that the situation is nearing a crisis point, with little time left to reverse the deterioration. The conflict in Pokrovsk underscores the broader struggle for control in eastern Ukraine, as Russia continues its full-scale invasion launched in February 2022.