Russia wants to "plant a flag" on Ukrainian territory to claim a fake victory. Ukrainian General Oleksandr Syrskyi has called the Pokrovsk front in Donetsk Oblast the hottest spot along the entire 1,200-kilometer front line.
The total combat losses of Russian forces since the start of the all-out war in 2022 have surpassed 1 million personnel. Nevertheless, Russia continues its summer offensive and is planning to bring in North Korean troops to support it. Currently, about 695,000 Russian soldiers are engaged in the war.
“There are no fewer than fifty combat engagements here every day,” said the commander-in-chief during his visit to the Pokrovsk defenders.
He stated that the Russian command has deployed a force of 111,000 troops to the area, aiming to break through to the administrative border of Donetsk Oblast. However, their objective is not only tactical but also psychological.
“To create a psychological effect: to place the infamous ‘Russian soldier’s boot,’ plant a flag, and loudly proclaim yet another fake ‘victory,'" he stated.
In June 2025, Russian ruler Vladimir Putin openly voiced his imperial doctrine: Russia claims as its own any territory entered by its troops. This means the territory is non-negotiable, and the invaders could only be driven from there by force.
Syrskyi stressed that particularly intense attacks took place two weeks ago, when Russian sabotage-assault groups attempted to breach Ukrainian defenses.
“But they were all destroyed or neutralized, and the remnants were pushed back farther from the administrative border. The situation is under control,” he assured.
During his visit, Syrskyi met with soldiers, held briefings with units of the Armed Forces and the National Guard, and issued important directives to strengthen defenses in the direction Russia seeks to turn into a “symbol of victory.”
Over the past week, Ukraine’s Air Force, missile troops, and artillery struck 99 locations where Russian personnel, weapons, equipment, ammunition depots, command posts, and other key military targets were concentrated.
