As the battle for Eastern Ukraine intensifies, Russian forces have escalated their assault on the crucial city of Pokrovsk, putting significant pressure on Ukrainian defenses. This strategic location, vital for Ukrainian logistics and reinforcement, faces imminent threats from advancing Russian troops, just as Ukraine's high-profile cross-border offensive into Russia's Kursk region shows signs of slowing down.
Russian advances towards Pokrovsk have been rapid and relentless. The city, which serves as a major logistics hub with its key railway station and critical roadways, is now only a few kilometers away from Russian-controlled territories. The assault on Pokrovsk is part of a broader Russian strategy to capitalize on their recent victories, particularly following their capture of Novohrodivka, a settlement that had previously been defended by Ukrainian forces.
"The situation is extremely difficult," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky conceded this week. The looming threat to Pokrovsk has raised alarms within the Ukrainian military, as it represents a crucial point in the defense of the eastern front. Mykhaylo Zhyrokhov, a military expert, warned, "If we lose Pokrovsk, the entire front line will crumble."
Pokrovsk, along with the neighboring town of Myrnohrad, was home to over 100,000 people before the war. These cities are the last major urban centers in the Donetsk region still under Ukrainian control. The fall of Avdiivka earlier this year, which was seen as a key fortress, allowed Russian forces to refocus their efforts on Pokrovsk and the strategically significant hilltop town of Chasiv Yar. Intense fighting around Chasiv Yar has already resulted in casualties, including five deaths reported this past Saturday.
General Oleksandr Syrskyi, head of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that Russia has deployed a significant portion of its Central Army Group, estimated at around 30,000 troops, to the offensive. The use of "meat assaults" - wave after wave of Russian infantry attacks - has exacerbated the challenge for Ukrainian defenders, who are struggling to maintain their positions amidst a barrage of artillery and glide bomb attacks.
The Ukrainian response has included a mass evacuation of civilians from Pokrovsk, with thousands already having fled the city. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to bolster defenses and supply lines, with General Syrskyi working to provide additional ammunition and resources to frontline troops.
As the Russian advance gains momentum, Ukraine's own cross-border offensive into Russia's Kursk region has faced significant obstacles. Despite initial successes, including the capture of Sudzha, a town now heavily shelled by Russian forces, the overall progress has slowed in recent weeks. Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that Ukrainian forces have taken control of approximately 1,290 square kilometers and 100 settlements in Kursk, but this has not translated into a significant strategic advantage.
Russian forces, bolstered by the redeployment of approximately 30,000 troops and the involvement of its most elite units, have intensified their efforts on multiple fronts. The focus on Pokrovsk and surrounding areas highlights a critical juncture in the conflict, with both sides vying for control of key strategic locations.
President Zelensky is set to discuss the broader implications of these developments with U.S. President Joe Biden in September, aiming to outline a comprehensive plan for victory. The outcome of these discussions, coupled with the ongoing battles in Donetsk and Kursk, will play a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of the conflict in the coming months.
