Putin Announces Pokrovsk Capture; Ukraine Calls It Propaganda During Ceasefire Talks

Russia on Monday declared that its forces had seized the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk — a development that would mark a major strategic gain if confirmed. Ukraine, however, dismissed the remarks as “loud statements” crafted to sway ongoing negotiations aimed at ending the war.

The claim surfaced immediately after high-level discussions in Florida between US and Ukrainian officials on possible pathways to halt the conflict, and just one day before US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

Kyiv has not issued an official response to Moscow’s announcement, but on Tuesday morning Ukraine’s General Staff said its troops had repelled dozens of assaults in the Pokrovsk region, indicating that clashes are still underway in parts of the city.