The decision follows a report by Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, highlighting the operational situation in Pokrovsk, where Russian forces are drawing closer.

“We decided to continue strengthening this area,” Zelenlskyy wrote on Telegram.

Zelenskyy added that in a massive attack on Monday morning, Russia had launched 127 missiles and 109 drones across Ukraine, resulting in casualties and significant damage.

Pokrovsk, a key transport hub in the eastern Ukrainian Donetsk Region, crucial for supplying other Ukrainian-held towns, faces intensified threats from Russian military actions.

The city’s strategic importance lies in its location along a vital supply route to towns like Chasiv Yar and Kostiantynivka, both critical to Ukraine's defense, Poland’s state press agency (PAP) said.

In response to Russia's escalated attacks, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stated that Ukraine is preparing a counteroffensive, potentially utilizing domestically produced weapons.

Umerov also urged international partners to lift restrictions on the use of donated weaponry against Russian military targets.