Intense Fighting Near Pokrovsk as Russia Claims Town Capture, Ukraine Resists

on September 8th the Russian defense Ministry announced the capture of Nova rivka in denet goast while Ukraine's military reported ongoing battles in the area Nova rivka located about 20 kilom from the key logistical Hub of pokrovsk has been the sight of intense fighting Ukrainian officer serite zahasky noted that the military command decided to withdraw from the town due to its unfavorable geographical position unconfirmed reports suggested that Nova rivka was was poorly fortified allowing Russian forces to take control quickly the Ukrainian military did not officially confirm the withdrawal despite this they reported repelling numerous attacks in the surrounding settlements including Nova rivka additionally Russia claimed to have captured four other settlements near poov although these claims remain unverified commanderin-chief Alexander cerski said Ukraine halted Russian advances in pokrovsk due to operations in Coro blast