On October 31, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had deployed about 170,000 soldiers to the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, with the aim of taking control of the city of Pokrovsk - which is becoming a hot spot of fighting.
Mr Zelensky acknowledged that the situation in Pokrovsk was very difficult, but denied Russias claim that the city had been surrounded.
He said that some Russian units have penetrated Pokrovsk but are being "gradually eliminated" by the Ukrainian defense army. There are Russian soldiers in Pokrovsk, they are being destroyed, step by step, because we need to preserve our forces, Zelensky said at a press conference in Kiev.
In previous sieges, Ukraine had to retreat from some areas to avoid major losses in human resources, while Russia continued to maintain its advantage in terms of numbers and equipment.
On the Russian side, President Vladimir Putin affirmed that Russian forces are making significant strides on the battlefield, although he acknowledged the slow progress and great losses.
Mr. Putin is trying to convince the US that Ukraine cannot hold firm against the military power of Russia, while emphasizing that nuclear capabilities have been "significantly improved", demonstrating the determination to pursue the goal of the conflict to the end.
