Exclusive aerial footage reveals Ukrainian town surrounded by Russian forces

Newly obtained drone footage captures the extensive devastation in the eastern Ukrainian town of Myrnohrad, which is now almost fully encircled by advancing Russian forces near a city Moscow recently claimed to control.

The images show that few streets in the Donetsk region town, located roughly 12 kilometers (7 miles) from the key logistical center of Pokrovsk, remain unscathed. Some areas appear freshly hit, with smoke still rising in scenes filmed over the past several days.

Oleksii Hodzenko, press officer for the drone battalion of Ukraines 38th Marine Brigade, said troops continue to defend positions inside the town. According to him, Russian forces are attempting to wipe the town off the map.

DeepState, a widely used open-source Ukrainian mapping platform, reports that Myrnohrad is nearly surrounded. Hodzenko noted that while a narrow exit route remains, Russian pressure has severely disrupted logistics: We can only rarely rotate even small groups of personnel. Soldiers stay there for weeks.

Ukraines eastern command stated on Telegram that it is working to supply troops still holding the town. Hodzenko added that ground-robot drones are being used to deliver food and water, though he did not disclose troop numbers due to operational security.

Before Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022, Myrnohrad had around 46,000 residents. Like many towns in eastern and southern Ukraine, it has since been largely emptied, its infrastructure shattered by months of bombardments involving heavy glide bombs, artillery barrages, and waves of attack drones.

Hodzenko described the constant threat: Every few minutes, you hear another radio call Glide bomb on Myrnohrad. All our fighters can do now is hold their ground, pushing themselves to the absolute limit.

Meanwhile, Kremlin aide Yurii Ushakov said Russias recent battlefield gains have strengthened its hand in ongoing talks with the United States over a U.S.-drafted proposal to end the conflict, stating that military progress had a positive effect on negotiations.

On Tuesday, Russias defense ministry claimed that its forces had seized control of Pokrovsk, releasing video of soldiers displaying the Russian flag in the city center. Ukraines General Staff rejected the claim.

Col. Volodymyr Polevyi of Ukraines 7th Corps Assault Brigade, which is stationed in the area, confirmed that Ukrainian forces continue to fight in the northern sector of the city. Hodzenko appealed to Western partners to sustain support, especially military aid, saying that continued assistance is essential to preventing broader conflict in the future.

Author: Riley Thompson