Moscow claims forces destroying ‘surrounded’ units in Pokrovsk, key to capturing Donetsk, while Zelensky claims no Russian gains in 24 hours.

As buildings change hands in chaotic fighting in Ukraine's eastern stronghold of Pokrovsk, defending forces said more soldiers were needed to prevent the enemy infiltrating further.

The footage shows how Ukraine is scrambling to defend the embattled city from brutal Russian assaults.

Fierce urban combat continues in Pokrovsk, Donetsk, as Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) released dramatic footage showing special forces and elite units repelling Russian advances in this critical logistics hub.

The Russian Defense Ministry said Wednesday that Ukrainian troops should surrender to save themselves in Pokrovsk, a transport and supply hub seen as a gateway to bigger nearby cities.

Volodymyr Zelensky said he met Ukrainian soldiers near the town of Pokrovsk in Donetsk, where one of the fiercest front-line battles between Russia and Ukraine is underway.

Russian air strikes hit Ukrainian civilian sites, Ukrainian officials said on November 3, killing several people and seriously damaging residential buildings while Moscow said it carried out massive attacks as its troops continue to make advances in the key city of Pokrovsk.

Ukrainian special forces have launched a counter-offensive in Pokrovsk, using US-made Black Hawk helicopters. The goal of the operation was to reopen supply lines in the besieged city, which has held out for more than a year against a Russian offensive but now appears on the brink of capture.