Ukraine deployed special forces for combat operations in the embattled areas of Pokrovsk, reported two Ukrainian military sources to Reuters on Friday.
According to them, the operation took place several days ago, involving a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, and was conducted under the leadership of the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, Kyrylo Budanov. The deployment was complicated by the activity of Russian drones, the agency notes.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the entire special forces group was eliminated, Ukraine called it another example of disinformation.
Earlier, Ukrainian military reported that at least 200 Russian servicemen breached the city's defenses and entered, Ukrainian military reported. Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi acknowledged on Thursday that the situation is "difficult", stating that it is necessary to strengthen supply lines and defense in this area.
The DeepState project believes that at least half of the city is in a combat zone, not fully controlled by either side.
Russia wants to capture the entire Donbas region, which includes Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts. Ukraine still controls about 10% of the region's territory.
The capture of Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka to the northeast, which Russian troops are also trying to encircle, would give Moscow a platform to advance north to the two largest cities in the Donetsk region that remain under Ukrainian control, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.