Ukrainian special forces sent to stop the Russian offensive in Pokrovsk. The spy chief oversees the operation
Kiev has sent special forces into the besieged city of Donetsk to prevent the Russians from capturing the strategic point
Ukraine sent special forces to fight in conflict-affected areas of the eastern city of Pokrovsk earlier this week, just as Russia said it had encircled Kiev's forces in the area, two Ukrainian military sources said on Friday.
The operation shows how Ukraine is struggling to stabilize the situation in the strategically important city after dozens of Russian soldiers entered its perimeter this month.
Russia's capture of Pokrovsk, a major road and rail hub, could enable an advance into the Donetsk region in the east, which Russia intends to fully occupy.
Moscow's army has been slowly advancing on Pokrovsk for over a year. Ukrainian special forces landed a few days ago with a Black Hawk helicopter in the operation, which was complicated by Russian drone activity, a source in the 7th Rapid Reaction Corps said.
Ukrainian's Airdropping troops in Pokrovsk via helicopter, This is big.
Russians are facing some challenging times on every aspect.
NEVER, EVER, Underestimate the Ukrainians. pic.twitter.com/nc47hiww57
— Bricktop_NAFO (@Bricktop_NAFO) October 31, 2025
The head of espionage oversees the operation
The operation was overseen by the head of the military secret service, General Kirilo Budanov, and the troops moved into areas of the city claimed by Russia and considered by Moscow to be vital to Ukrainian supply lines, one of the sources said.
At least 10 soldiers were seen disembarking from a helicopter in a field, according to images seen by Reuters. The news agency could not independently confirm the location or date the video was shot.
Russia's Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Ukrainian operation.
At least 200 Russian soldiers broke through the city's defenses and went inside, the Ukrainian military said.
Kiev's army chief admitted on Thursday that the situation was “difficult”, saying supply lines and defenses in the area needed to be strengthened.
DeepState, a Ukrainian open-source mapping project with ties to the Ministry of Defense in Kiev, estimates that at least half of the city is in a disputed area that is not fully controlled by either side.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a direct reference to the Battle of Pokrovsk in his evening address to Ukrainians.
“We continue to destroy the occupier. The most important thing is to stop Russian attacks wherever possible,” the Kiev leader said.
