ISTANBUL

Ukraine’s General Staff on Monday denied claims that Russian forces had encircled the Pokrovsk-Myrnograd area or taken full control over its supply routes, saying the defense of the region continues under “complex and dynamic” conditions.

Spokesman Major Andriy Kovalev told Ukrinform that units “confidently hold their positions” in Myrnograd, destroying Russian troops on the approaches to the city.

“Information about the enemy’s complete fire control of the logistics routes or the operational encirclement of the city is not true,” he said, adding that weapons, ammunition, and personnel rotations continue despite difficulties.

He said Ukrainian forces in Pokrovsk are also ensuring logistics and rotation, while conducting search and strike operations to repel enemy infantry attempts.

​​​​​​​Pokrovsk, in the Donetsk region, has faced intensified Russian assaults in recent weeks as Moscow seeks to consolidate control over the industrial east of Ukraine.