The Russian Ministry of Defense announced in a statement on Wednesday, November 5, that its forces are advancing northwards in the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk in an attempt to gain total control of the city that serves as a major logistics center for the Ukrainian army in the East.

"The offensive in the northern direction is ongoing, and Russian forces are clearing towns southeast of Pokrovsk and repelling repeated Ukrainian attempts to break the siege," the ministry's statement read.

Russia's defence ministry added that Ukrainian positions are "rapidly deteriorating, and soldiers have no choice but to voluntarily surrender."

Moscow sees the capture of Pokrovsk as a stepping stone towards tightening its hold on the remaining parts of the Donbass industrial region, about 10% of Ukraine's territory (roughly 5,000 square kilometers).

Read more: Russian forces repel Ukrainian breakout attempt, advance near Pokrovsk

Control over the Donbass industrial region has been one of Russia's primary military objectives since the start of the war.

Kiev, on the other hand, acknowledged the field situation as less than ideal, but denied that Russia's forces encircled it. Ukrainian officials stated that military reinforcements and heavy weapons were on their way to the front lines.

The Ukrainian General Staff stated that defensive units reinforced their positions around Pokrovsk and Mirnograd in the Donetsk region, verifying that fighting continues to secure logistical routes and prevent Russian forces from advancing toward the city.

Pokrovsk is considered to be a vital transportation hub in eastern Ukraine, tying together military supply lines with civilian transport routes. For over a year, it has been one of the most contested front lines in the battle for the Donbass.

Ukraine receives defensive support

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Sunday that Germany delivered additional Patriot air defense systems to aid Kiev's defensive capabilities. 

“Today, we can already say there is a good result for our air defense. Ukraine now has more Patriots. I would like to thank Chancellor [Friedrich] Merz, I thank Germany, and everyone who helps. Our agreements have been fulfilled,” Zelensky said in a social media post.

The transfer comes after the broader defense initiative revealed earlier this year by Washington, which stated that the US would provide Ukraine with military equipment while European nations bear financial responsibility.

Alongside German support, a new NATO-backed funding mechanism, the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), has been activated. This mechanism includes the funding of roughly $486 million from three Nordic countries, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, toward US-made weapons for Ukraine, including Patriot missiles and other air-defense materiel.

Read more: Ukrainian army struggling with manpower shortage: WSJ