Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has declared that the situation in Pokrovsk is "very difficult".
In an interview with Bloomberg TV, he said that any decision to withdraw troops depends on military commanders on the ground.
"No one is forcing them to die for the sake of ruins. I will support our soldiers, especially the commanders there, in their efforts to control the situation."
"Otherwise, it will be very costly for us: the most important thing for us is our soldiers," he said.
