The Ukrainian army’s general staff has reported that Russia has launched another 60 assaults in the Pokrovsky district, with Ukrainian defenders working hard to maintain defensive positions. Pokrovsk, a key road and rail hub with a pre-war population of 60,000, is an important target for Russia due to its strategic location. It lies on a key road used by the Ukrainian military to supply other Ukrainian-held outposts and is home to Ukraine’s largest coking coal mine.
Russia sees taking control of Pokrovsk as a key step towards annexing the entire Donetsk region, with Russian media labeling it “the gateway to Donetsk”. By capturing Pokrovsk, Russia aims to disrupt Ukrainian supply lines and enhance its campaign to capture the city of Chasiv Yar, which sits on higher ground and offers potential control of a wider area.
As the war continues, residents are evacuating westwards while others are left in damaged homes with power and water cut off. Vadym Filashkin, the Donetsk regional governor, reported that 53,000 people, including 4,000 children, were still living in the Pokrovsk area as of August 19th.
The ongoing conflict in Pokrovsk highlights the devastating impact of the war on the residents and the strategic importance of the city for both Ukraine and Russia. The situation remains tense as both sides continue to fight for control of this vital location in eastern Ukraine.
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Photo credit news.sky.com
