Tue Dec 02 03:19:11 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text followed by a news article based on the information:
Summary:
Russian Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov reported to President Vladimir Putin that Russian forces have captured Pokrovsk, a key logistics hub in the Donetsk region, and Vovchansk, a city in the Kharkiv region. Ukraine has not confirmed the claim regarding Pokrovsk, though reports and videos are circulating suggesting Russian control. The capture follows heavy bombardment. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is seeking support from the US and Europe to avoid territorial concessions in any negotiated end to the war.
News Article:
Russia Claims Capture of Key Ukrainian City Pokrovsk, Vovchansk
Moscow, Russia – Russian forces have reportedly seized Pokrovsk, a strategically important logistics hub in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, as well as the city of Vovchansk in Kharkiv. The announcement came from Russian Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov, who briefed President Vladimir Putin on the “liberation” of the city late Sunday, according to Russian state news agency TASS.
Pokrovsk, once a city of 60,000, has been subject to intense Russian bombardment in recent weeks, leaving much of it in ruins. The city is a crucial transportation center in the Donetsk region, one of the four regions Russia claims to have annexed.
While Ukraine has yet to officially confirm the fall of Pokrovsk, Reuters reports that a video circulating online shows Russian soldiers marching through the streets of the city and raising a Russian flag. Putin has already congratulated Russian forces on their victory, referring to Pokrovsk by its Russian name, Krasnoarmeysk.
In addition to Pokrovsk, Gerasimov also reported the capture of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region.
The developments come as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is meeting with leaders in the United States and Europe this week. Zelenskyy has stated that a primary objective during these discussions is to secure guarantees against territorial concessions to Russia in any future peace negotiations. He aims to prevent legitimization of Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territories.
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