Ukraine says Russia has massed about 100,000 troops near Pokrovsk, raising fears of a new offensive

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday that Russia has redeployed roughly 100,000 troops to the frontlines in eastern Donetsk, concentrating forces near the city of Pokrovsk and prompting concern among Kyiv’s Western allies about the possibility of a renewed large‑scale offensive.

Pokrovsk, a regional transportation hub that Ukrainian officials say Moscow has sought to capture for the past 18 months, lies on a contested stretch of the frontline in Donetsk. Kyiv reported that the arrival of the forces has been accompanied by continued Russian bombardment along multiple sectors.

The troop count and concentration were cited by Zelensky and have been reported by international media outlets, with diplomats and defence analysts warning the buildup increases the risk of intensified operations aimed at seizing remaining Ukrainian-held areas of the Donbas. Bloomberg reported that some Western officials fear the move could presage a year‑end push by Moscow to capture the remaining strongholds in the region.

Moscow has repeatedly demanded that Ukraine cede control of the Donbas as part of any negotiated end to the conflict, and Russian President Vladimir Putin has framed the region as central to his war objectives. The concentration of forces around Pokrovsk drew particular attention at a recent European security council meeting, where leaders discussed security guarantees for a post‑war Ukraine and expressed concern about rising battlefield pressure.

Western officials have cautioned that troop numbers reported by Kyiv can include a mix of regular Russian units, proxy forces, and logistical elements, and independent verification of exact figures is often limited on highly contested frontlines. Ukrainian military spokespeople have said their forces are monitoring the redeployment and are preparing defensive measures.

The Donetsk region has been a focal point of sustained fighting since Russia’s full‑scale invasion began, and control of transport hubs such as Pokrovsk has strategic value for movement of personnel and supplies. Analysts say control of such nodes can shape operational options for both sides, though battlefield outcomes depend on a range of factors including logistics, air and artillery support, and force readiness.

Humanitarian organisations and local authorities in eastern Ukraine have reported ongoing civilian casualties and infrastructure damage in areas subjected to artillery and missile strikes. Emergency services continue search, rescue and relief operations in towns and villages affected by shelling.

Allies of Kyiv have been providing military assistance, intelligence sharing and diplomatic support, and discussions over long‑term security guarantees for Ukraine have accelerated amid concerns about any renewed Russian offensive. NATO and EU member states have reiterated support for Ukraine’s sovereignty while urging de‑escalation and continued efforts to sustain Ukrainian defence capabilities.

Moscow’s foreign ministry has in the past defended Russian troop movements as routine or necessary for defence, and it has denied plans for large new offensives when questioned by foreign governments and journalists. Russian state statements on current troop concentrations have been limited, and requests for comment from Russian authorities were not immediately answered.

The reported buildup near Pokrovsk marks one of the larger concentrations of Russian forces cited by Kyiv in recent months, and it comes as diplomatic efforts over security arrangements for Ukraine continue in international forums. Observers say the coming weeks will be crucial to determine whether the deployment leads to a major operation or remains a posture aimed at pressuring Kyiv in negotiations.