Russian ground forces have accelerated their advance towards Pokrovsk over the past seven days, the British Ministry of Defense said in its daily briefing on the war in Ukraine, quoted by "BBC" and News.bg.
Intelligence officers believe that Russian troops are already about 10 km from the city. The pace of the advance is expected to slow as Russian forces move into the built-up area.
Pokrovsk is a key logistics center for the Donetsk region. Its capture by the Russian military would extend and divert Ukrainian supply lines, making it difficult to supply and maneuver resources between the fortified areas of Ugledar and Chasov Yar.
In all other sectors of the front in eastern and southern Ukraine, the operational tempo remains low and no significant changes in territorial control have occurred, British intelligence concludes.
Earlier, Russia announced the capture of two more settlements in eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Sirsky said the situation around the main offensive line in eastern Ukraine is "difficult" but all necessary decisions are being made.