On March 8, the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff reported 121 combat encounters over the previous day, with the majority occurring in the Pokrovsk direction. The report highlights that Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled 20 assault attempts by Russian forces in several localities, including Novyi Donbas, Rodynske, and Pokrovsk.
In addition to the clashes in Pokrovsk, the Ukrainian military faced 15 attacks in the Kostiantynivka area, and 12 assaults each in the Sloviansk and Huliaipole directions. Ongoing combat operations were also noted in the South Slobozhansky, Kupiansk, Lyman, Kramatorsk, and Oleksandrivka regions.
Vladimir Polovyi, head of communications for the 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of the Air Assault Forces, stated on March 5 that Ukrainian troops remain stationed in the northern parts of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad in Donetsk. He described these cities as critical hotspots along the frontline.
Contrastingly, the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) indicated that there have been no observed actions by Ukrainian forces in Pokrovsk since late January, suggesting a potential Russian takeover of the entire city. However, the Ukrainian General Staff has not confirmed any claims regarding the capture of Pokrovsk by Russian troops or the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the area.
The Ukrainian General Staff reported 121 combat incidents on March 8, primarily in the Pokrovsk region, where Ukrainian forces successfully repelled multiple assaults. Despite claims of Russian advances, Ukrainian officials have not confirmed any territorial losses in Pokrovsk.