Pokrovsk is one of the largest cities under Ukrainian control in the Donetsk region. Today it is half-surrounded by Russian troops. What would its loss mean for Ukraine?
The situation around Pokrovsk continues to escalate. It is one of the largest cities under Ukrainian control in the Donetsk region. Today it is half-surrounded by Russian troops. The fighting for the city has been going on since July 2024, when Ukrainian troops managed to gain a foothold there after the loss of Avdiivka.
What exactly is happening around Pokrovsk
For a long time, the attacks on Pokrovsk have been extremely intense. According to the Ukrainian General Staff, in the last 24 hours alone, 57 assault operations were launched by the Russian military, which is many times more than in other directions.
And recently, Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups have also begun to enter Pokrovsk. The information was confirmed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. "They are trying to shoot some kind of video: they put up a flag, they took it down... but our defenders manage to destroy them."
However, the main goal may not be the entry of Russian troops into the city. Ukrainian journalist Viktor Tregubov, spokesman for the operational-strategic military group "Khortytsia", says that the Russian army is trying to surround the city from different sides and besiege it. "At the moment, there is no particular point in storming the city. And the Russians now simply do not have enough people to throw "meat" into the attack - the resource has been used up. That is why they are trying to partially surround the city."
According to Tregubov, the Russian troops are now applying offensive tactics, using a large number of small groups of soldiers. "They operate with small groups, but the number of these groups is large, and the front is wide. They are trying to penetrate in different ways - using camouflage, through the forests, etc. When one group is destroyed, another one immediately comes in its place."
What the military says about the situation around Pokrovsk
"Russian soldiers managed to reach Pokrovsk precisely through the forests", a brigade commander, who requested anonymity, told DW. "When it was winter, our drones could see them immediately, and now they can sneak through the forest. And they have quite a few people."
At the same time, the commander complains about the deteriorating situation for the Ukrainian defenders - explosions are constant, military vehicles are unable to reach the designated positions. However, the leadership has ordered: the Russians must not be allowed to enter Pokrovsk. However, he does not hide that the losses are very high - he calls them "terrible" and adds that many people have voluntarily left their units and positions.
However, the commander only talks about the situation in his area. The press secretary of another brigade assures DW that Pokrovsk is not besieged. Similar information is also reported by fighters from units that are in positions along the Pokrovsk direction.
Pokrovsk is an important junction
Currently, the most intense fighting is taking place on the front line in the Donetsk region, because Russia has a political decision to conquer the four regions in Ukraine, which are inscribed in its constitution, explains to DW the former deputy chief of the General Staff of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Igor Romanenko. "They managed to conquer the Luhansk region and that is why they are now advancing on Donetsk. The Russians have also increased their presence in Zaporizhia, where intense fighting is also taking place."
According to Romanenko, Pokrovsk is one of the most important nodes for the defense and logistics of the Ukrainian army in Donbas. "This is an important node, roads to Konstatinovka depart from it. The Russians are dependent on the roads and the railway, which play a priority role for them," the lieutenant general noted.
Romanenko believes that whether Ukraine will be able to hold Pokrovsk depends on both the actions of the Ukrainian army and the forces of Russia. "From August, the Russians will begin the second stage of this year's campaign. During the first stage, the resources and reserves collected at the end of last year and during the winter were activated. Then they carried out the spring draft and agreed with North Korea to send more soldiers."
Military observer Konstantin Mashovets says that currently the 51st Army of the Russian Federation, which is operating in the direction of Mirnograd, has the ability to advance at a pace dangerous for the Ukrainians. If there are no cardinal changes in the movement of this army, the fate of Pokrovsk will be decided, Mashovets predicts.
How can the situation around Pokrovsk develop?
Military expert Mykola Beleskov explained to DW that if it succeeds in the direction of Pokrovsk, Russia will be able to advance into the Dnipropetrovsk region and further south. However, it is not known what decision the Russian military leadership will make. "They can enter the Dnipropetrovsk region and then say that they are operating in another region in Ukraine. Or they can really create conditions for further advancement, namely into the Donetsk region."