"Top priority for Russia": Zelenskyy explains why Putin needs quick capture of Pokrovsk
The capture of Pokrovsk is Russia’s primary objective, as it would allow Moscow to push a propaganda narrative of an allegedly inevitable takeover of the entire Donbas and pressure the West to force Ukraine into concessions.
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Russia seeks rapid capture of Pokrovsk / © Associated Press
Russia needs to seize Pokrovsk as quickly as possible to promote the idea that it can take full control of Donbas.
This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a media briefing on Friday, November 7, broadcast on the national telethon “United News.”
Pokrovsk as a tool of influence on the West
The President explains that Pokrovsk is currently the “number one target” for the occupiers and holds not only military but also key propaganda value. Moscow plans to use the city’s capture as proof of its “battlefield success.”
“I believe this is a factor that could influence the advancement or delay of sanctions. Through this Pokrovsk story, Russia wants to showcase success on the battlefield,” Zelenskyy said.
He emphasized that Russia is “very afraid” of strong decisions from the United States, especially when there is no real success on the battlefield. Therefore, by capturing Pokrovsk, the Kremlin could “revive this narrative” and try to convince Western countries that the Russian army will “take eastern Ukraine,” prompting them to pressure Kyiv to “withdraw from Donbas.”
Massive Russian losses in assaults
The President also shared details about the situation in Pokrovsk itself. According to him, the enemy is exerting enormous pressure on this front while suffering unprecedented losses.
Currently, 314 Russian personnel are in Pokrovsk.
Over the course of three days, the city has endured 220 assaults.
On November 5, the occupiers attempted to storm the city using military equipment but lost it.
Zelenskyy also stressed that Russia’s overall losses in October were the highest since the start of the full-scale war: at least 25,000 Russian soldiers were eliminated by Ukrainian drones alone — and these are only the confirmed figures.
Regarding other fronts, Zelenskyy reported on the advance of Ukrainian forces in Kupiansk and noted that the situation could worsen in Vovchansk as Russian forces are amassing there.