Battlefield Shifts 2025: Russia Captures Pokrovsk, Myrnohrad, and the Stronghold of Hulyaypole

In what has been described as the most significant military advancement of 2025, Russian forces have successfully seized control of three key cities following months of grueling attrition. The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed the full capture of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad in the Donetsk region, effectively eliminating Ukrainian resistance pockets in Rodynske. These strategic victories mark a critical turning point, significantly altering the defensive lines in Eastern Ukraine.

Simultaneously, in the Zaporizhzhia sector, Russia announced the total fall of Hulyaypole. According to official statements, the operation resulted in the neutralization of 1,240 Ukrainian personnel and the destruction of Western-supplied hardware, including five M113 armored personnel carriers within a single day. Beyond these captures, Russian troops have renewed their offensive near Orikhiv and secured positions around Novoandriivka. This multi-axis advancement now extends into northern Kharkiv and Sumy, signaling a broader Russian effort to overstretch Ukrainian forces across the entire frontline.