The Presidency says the men are trapped in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas after being misled by fake job recruiters — a Russian tactic previously reported in many countries including India and Nepal.
DeepState analysts report an expanding Russian presence on the city’s eastern outskirts near Rivne, signaling that Pokrovsk’s defenses are under severe strain.
The 7th Corps of the Air Assault Forces confirmed the operation, saying synchronized work by air defense, EW, reconnaissance, and drone units allowed troops to reinforce key positions inside the embattled city.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry warns journalists against accepting Russia's offer, citing the 2014 Ilovaisk massacre where Moscow promised safe passage through a "humanitarian corridor" before opening fire, killing 366 Ukrainian soldiers who trusted similar Russian guarantees.
As Moscow pushes to capture all of Donetsk Oblast, these three cities form the heart of resistance. Ukrainian experts warn that without Pokrovsk, Russia cannot advance toward Kramatorsk — the symbolic prize of the Donbas.
Trump reportedly warned Zelenskyy that Putin could ‘destroy’ Ukraine if no deal was reached, pressing the Ukrainian president to consider Moscow’s territorial demands and signaling a willingness to entertain Russian proposals.