President Vladimir Putin hailed on Tuesday (December 2) what his commanders said was Russia's full capture of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine as an important victory, but the Ukrainian military said its forces still held the northern part of the city.

Reuters was able to confirm the location of the video as Pokrovsk from the buildings, the road layout and the chimney, which matched satellite imagery of the area.

The date when the video was recorded could not be verified independently. However, Russia said on Monday (December 1) that it had captured Pokrovsk.

In comments released before a visit to Moscow by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff on Tuesday to discuss possible moves to end the war in Ukraine, Putin said complete control of Pokrovsk would help Moscow fulfil its wider war aims.

The Ukrainian military later told Reuters it was not only holding out in the northern part of Pokrovsk, which had a pre-war population of over 60,000 people, but was periodically attacking Russian troops in the south of the city and was keeping its own logistics routes under increased control.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

POKROVSK, DONETSK REGION, UKRAINE (RELEASED DECEMBER 3, 2025) (Russian Defence Ministry – Access all) (MUTE)

1. DRONE FOOTAGE SHOWING RUSSIAN FLAG WAVING OVER ENTRANCE TO POKROVSK / CITY VIEW

2. VARIOUS OF DRONE FOOTAGE SHOWING TROOPS WITH RUSSIAN FLAG AND ONE OTHER FLAG STANDING ON ROOF OF BUILDING / CITY VIEW

3. DRONE FOOTAGE SHOWING TROOP WAVING RUSSIAN FLAG STANDING ON ROOF OF DESTROYED BUILDING / CITY VIEW