Russia’s top military commander, Valery Gerasimov, says Russian forces are advancing across almost the entire front line in Ukraine, with the town of Myrnohrad now becoming one of the most intense battlegrounds. Speaking during a command meeting with officers from the Russian Centre Grouping, Gerasimov said that President Vladimir Putin has ordered the defeat of Ukrainian forces still fighting inside Myrnohrad.
Rising Tensions as Russian Forces Push Toward Myrnohrad
According to Gerasimov, Russian troops have already taken control of more than 30% of the buildings in Myrnohrad. The town, which had around 46,000 people before the war, lies to the east of Pokrovsk and plays a key role in the ongoing battle for the region. Russia claims that Ukrainian troops in Myrnohrad have been completely surrounded, cutting them off from supplies and reinforcements.
Ukraine, however, strongly denies these claims. Ukrainian officials say that their forces are still holding positions in both Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, and that fighting continues inside the town. They insist that Russian statements are exaggerated and meant to shape public opinion. Ukrainian military leaders say their defenders remain active and are pushing back against Russian attempts to advance deeper into Myrnohrad.
Conflicting Claims Over Myrnohrad and Pokrovsk
Russia has also said that it has full control of Pokrovsk, which Moscow calls by its Soviet-era name, Krasnoarmeysk. Similarly, Russia refers to Myrnohrad as Dimitrov, reflecting long-standing political and cultural differences between the two countries. These naming choices highlight how symbolic the region has become for both sides.
The situation in Myrnohrad and surrounding areas is part of a wider struggle across the eastern Donetsk region. This region has been one of the most heavily contested parts of Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began. Russia considers towns like Myrnohrad valuable due to their transport routes, supply lines, and strategic positions.
Russian officials say that their forces have the upper hand and are advancing steadily. Ukraine disputes this, saying its soldiers are holding defensive lines and slowing Russian movements. Ukrainian officials argue that although Russia has captured some areas, these gains come at a high cost in terms of manpower and equipment.
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Russia currently controls about 19.2% of Ukrainian territory, including:
- Crimea
- Almost all of Luhansk
- More than 80% of Donetsk
- About 75% of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia
- Small parts of Kharkiv, Sumy, Mykolaiv, and Dnipropetrovsk
These figures show how large an area remains under Russian occupation, even as Ukrainian forces continue resisting in cities like Myrnohrad.
High-Stakes Fighting in the Donbas Region
The ongoing battle in Myrnohrad is part of Russia’s wider push to take full control of the Donbas region, which includes Donetsk and Luhansk. President Putin recently said that Russia would take the entire Donbas “by force” unless Ukrainian troops withdraw. Kyiv immediately rejected the demand, saying they will not surrender any territory.
People living near frontline towns such as Myrnohrad face extremely difficult conditions. Many families have left their homes, while others remain in shelters hoping for safety. What was once a peaceful mining town has now become one of the key points of conflict.
Ukraine says its soldiers are still resisting inside Myrnohrad, despite Russia’s claims of encirclement. Ukrainian forces report that they are continuing operations to slow Russian advances and protect remaining positions. They say that although Russia has pushed forward, the fight for the town is far from over.
Russian commanders, on the other hand, say their operations are progressing successfully. Gerasimov described Russia’s push as a broad advance “along the entire front line,” with special emphasis on completing the operation in Myrnohrad.
As both sides present sharply different accounts of what is happening, Myrnohrad has become one of the most closely watched areas in the conflict. Control of the town carries military importance and symbolic weight for both Russia and Ukraine, making the battle for Myrnohrad one of the latest high-pressure clashes in the ongoing war.
