Recent reports indicate that Russian troops are making headway near Pokrovsk, with new battlefield maps highlighting their advances. The Kremlin appears to be intensifying efforts to capture this vital logistical hub following Ukraine’s unexpected incursion into Russia’s Kursk region on August 6.
According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian forces have made notable progress over the weekend. They’ve moved into eastern Karlivka and the area around Mykolaivka, both southeast of Pokrovsk. Additionally, there are reports of them taking control of the Novohrodivka City Council and parts of Krasnyi Yar, further expanding their foothold.
ISW
Leaders from the Ukrainian open-source intelligence platform, Deep State, have confirmed that Russian forces are solidifying their position in Novohrodivka, while Ukraine is attempting to push back towards Krasnyi Yar. The strategic importance of Pokrovsk lies in its transportation links, crucial for military logistics near the frontline in the Donetsk region.
Humanitarian efforts are also underway, with Doctors Without Borders assisting in evacuating vulnerable populations from Pokrovsk and its surroundings. Evacuation trains are taking individuals to Dnipro, where many are seeking shelter with relatives or turning to temporary accommodations in safer western areas.
AP
As these developments unfold, Ukrainian forces are still engaged in operations across the border in the Kursk region. However, there are growing concerns about possible overextension of their troops, which may lead to vulnerabilities in Donetsk. Just last Monday, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian forces had reclaimed around 1,250 square kilometers (482 square miles) of territory and 92 settlements in Kursk.