Ukrainian forces are struggling to hold their positions in the eastern city of Pokrovsk and nearby Myrnohrad, where Russian troops are intensifying their offensive in what could become Ukraine’s most serious battlefield setback in months, Germany’s Bild newspaper reported.

According to Bild, Ukrainian officers described the situation as “critical”, saying Russian forces had captured about 80% of Pokrovsk and were closing in on the remaining Ukrainian positions. “Putin is now throwing all his forces at this region. The situation is extremely dire,” one senior Ukrainian officer told the publication. “We’ve lost 80% of the city... The guys in Myrnohrad are in an even worse situation; they’re effectively surrounded.”

Military sources cited by Bild said between 300 and 1,000 Ukrainian troops remain encircled near Myrnohrad, struggling with limited supplies and evacuation options. Russian forces have reportedly broken into Pokrovsk’s city limits and are pushing to complete the encirclement, despite Kyiv’s official claims that Ukrainian units are holding their ground.

"The Ukrainians' garrison surrounded in Myrnohrad now occupies about 42 sq km. In my estimation between 300-1000 Ukrainian troops remain in the pocket but the condition of these men is likely very poor considering the inability to get supply in or medevac out," military blogger Ayden posted on X.

According to the report, Russia is also gaining the upper hand in the drone war. Ukraine has deployed a record number of drone units along this section of the front, but Russian forces have greater resources. Russian drones are reportedly patrolling Ukraine’s main supply routes, and, thanks to a larger number of long-range unmanned aircraft, are able to penetrate several kilometres deeper into Ukrainian territory. This allows them to “hunt Ukrainian drone operators with near impunity,” The Economist explained.

It remains unclear whether Russia can sustain this tempo of attacks. However, the anticipated collapse of the Pokrovsk defence suggests that Russian forces have found a formula that works, the publication said.

The battle for Pokrovsk — a strategic transport hub in the Donetsk region — has been raging for more than a year. Its loss would mark a major symbolic and tactical defeat for Ukraine, potentially opening the way for Russian advances deeper into Donbas and dealing a blow to Ukrainian morale ahead of winter.

Western analysts, including those writing for The Economist, note that Russia has gained a technological edge in drone warfare on this front, deploying greater numbers of long-range drones that can target Ukrainian logistics routes and operators.

A collapse in Pokrovsk’s defence could also have political repercussions, bolstering Moscow’s leverage in any future peace talks and testing US President Donald Trump’s stated ambitions to broker an end to the war, according to a BBC report.

Ukrainian officials have not confirmed the extent of territorial losses, but local reports suggest the situation on the ground remains fluid and extremely tense.