"Our forces are controlling the situation near Pokrovskoye. There is a tense situation with the enemy from all sides. You remember the situation with the Kursk operation. You remember how it looked in terms of information - a lot of different reports. They said that we had 5,000 or 8,000 soldiers surrounded. It was a lie, no 5,000-8,000, no one was surrounded," Zelenskyy said, according to the agency.

Ukrainian drones repel major Russian mechanized attack near Pokrovskoye

The Russian army has resumed massive mechanized attacks towards the strategic town of Pokrovsk in Donetsk region, but at the cost of some of the highest losses of heavy equipment in recent months. Ukrainian drones, artillery and mines destroyed at least 20 vehicles from one 35-vehicle Russian assault column./Source: 82nd Separate Airborne Assault Bukovina Brigade / Telegram

The president stressed that Ukrainian commanders understand that"people are more important than anything else" and therefore will not allow an encirclement to occur."The enemy is not dominating there today. There are many of them, but to say that they are winning - that is not true," he added.

Zelensky also confirmed that the situation in Pokrovskoye is complicated, as Russia has concentrated approximately 170,000 soldiers there."I spoke with the commander-in-chief this morning - there have been no changes in Pokrovskoye. There are Russians in Pokrovskoye, ours are gradually liquidating them. We must protect our personnel," he said.

According to Zelensky, there is a lot of manipulation and inaccurate information about the situation on the front."What Russia claims - I was in some offices, geometrically different. We saw different maps... And at some point we will reconcile all this to understand where the problems are and where the manipulations are," he added.

'Anna of Kiev' defends Pokrovsk: Unit strikes attacking Russian column near town

Finally, the president also responded to Vladimir Putin's words."Putin claims he will come to Pokrovskoye. Whatever he wants, if he comes to Pokrovskoye, everyone will applaud him. We know how it will end," he said.

Maļuk: The Russians have advanced only seven kilometers in a year

The head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Vasyl Malyuk, also commented on the events in the Pokrovskoye region.

"When we talk about Pokrovskoye, we must thank all the defense forces who work there extremely professionally and dedicatedly," he said.

Maļuk recalled that the Russian army announced the"imminent conquest" of Pokrovsk more than a year ago, but since then it has only advanced seven kilometers.

"We're wiping them out to zero." SBU special forces attack uncompromisingly and precisely

Special forces of the Center for Special Operations "A" (CSO "A") of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) have published a report on their results on the front line over a two-week period. The SBU announced that they had eliminated over 1,300 Russian occupiers, 12 tanks, 72 artillery systems and rocket launchers, 587 pieces of automotive equipment, 1,188 enemy positions and fortifications, and 15 ammunition depots. The report was published with the caption:"SBU fighters are wiping out enemy infantry and equipment to zero."/Source: SBU

"Extremely capable experts - in quotes - only covered 7 kilometers. But they lost tens of thousands of people killed. I'm not even talking about the wounded," he emphasized.

According to Malyk, Ukrainian troops in the area are cooperating and inflicting losses on the enemy every day."Today, all our forces are cooperating there. Every day they are simply crushing them there," the SBU chief added.

Kalmyks, Tatars, Bashkirs and Yakuts. Russia's indigenous peoples fight against Moscow for their freedom

The"Nomad" unit, which is part of the International Legion of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine (HUR), operates in Ukrainian ranks. According to HUR, the unit is made up of volunteers from among the rebel Kalmyks, Tatars, Bashkirs and Yakuts, and its goal is to destroy the Moscow occupiers and fight for the independence of their peoples./Source: HUR