Pokrovsk has not fallen yet. That is despite President Vladimir Putin's recent claim that Russian forces have taken the city.
There is no doubt Ukraine has been losing ground in this key city in the east. For Russia, Pokrovsk is another stepping stone towards its goal of taking control of all of the Donbas. But Ukraine needs to prove it is still capable of resisting.
At a Ukrainian command post, well behind the front line, orders are relayed by radio in rapid and quick succession. Soldiers watch dozens of live drone feeds. They are coordinating strikes on Russian positions inside the city.
The commander of the Skala Assault Regiment, Yuri, is keen to prove to us that Ukraine still controls the north of the city - to show that the Kremlin's claim that it has taken Pokrovsk is a lie.
Over the radio, they ask two of their soldiers to break cover from a building to display a Ukrainian flag. They move quickly to avoid being spotted. The drone feed shows the moment they briefly wave their yellow and blue flag, before quickly returning to cover.
Yuri tells me: You've now seen it with your own eyes. He believes the world should know that Ukraine will not give up its territory, stating that failing to show resilience could diminish international support.
The battle for Pokrovsk, a weekend logistics hub, has been ongoing for nearly 18 months. The city is already in ruins, and the pressing question remains: how much longer can Ukraine hold on?
Reports indicate that Russian advances have narrowed Ukraine's control. Nonetheless, Ukrainian forces are adamant, claiming they still manage the northern region up to the city's railway line.
Amid sustained losses, the situation for Ukrainian soldiers remains challenging but far from hopeless. They describe the battle as tense, but not critical and insist that the narrative of the city being surrounded is merely Russian propaganda.
As the fighting drags on, troops in Pokrovsk are focused solely on military action, dismissing political discussions. They express a united front against any notions of conceding land, perceiving it as a threat that could extend beyond Ukraine.
The message from the frontline is clear: while the struggle is costly and exhausting, Ukraine's resolve remains unshaken.
