Russian forces are making gains in the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, targeting Ukrainian military formations and hindering their attempts to escape encirclement, according to the Russian Defence Ministry. Ukraine’s military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, claims that his forces are fiercely attempting to repel the Russians and are largely holding their positions.
Pokrovsk, previously known as Krasnoarmeysk, is a significant road and rail center in the Donetsk region, with a pre-war population of about 60,000, most of whom have fled. Children have been evacuated, and only a few civilians remain amid destruction from shelling. The area is near Ukraine’s only coking coal mine, which has stopped operations, impacting its steel industry. The city is crucial for supplying other Ukrainian military locations.
Russia aims to take control of the entire Donbas region, encompassing Luhansk and Donetsk provinces. Ukraine currently holds around 10% of Donbas, which includes a major area within western Donetsk. Capturing Pokrovsk, referred to as “the gateway to Donetsk,” along with nearby Kostiantynivka, would enable Russia to advance towards the significant Ukrainian cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.
Russian President Vladimir Putin claims Donbas is now part of Russia, a position rejected by Kyiv and most Western countries, who view it as an illegal takeover. Some analysts suggest that taking Pokrovsk would be a major win for Russia, especially if achieved by year’s end, although they believe considerable efforts would still be required to secure the rest of Donetsk.
Over the past year, Russia has threatened Pokrovsk using tactics like pincer movements to encircle the city and disrupt Ukrainian supply lines. Ukraine faces significant losses but is reinforcing its positions. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy emphasized the fierce fighting ongoing in and around Pokrovsk. Reports suggest the situation is critical, with control of the city still contested between the two sides.
With information from Reuters