In the field hospital near Pokrovsk, Bohdan and other doctors are operating on the wounded nonstop. As Bohdan tells Reuters, he has already stopped counting his working days. But it is probably 16 or 17 in a row, almost without a break.
But the drones are getting in the way. "They make it difficult to bring in the wounded or to transport them further," says Bohdan. The drones are also chasing civilians when they move. "People are putting white stripes on their cars, but that doesn't change anything."
Russians are occupying an ever-increasing area
The alarming situation in Pokrovsk is also visible on the map prepared by the Deep State platform, which regularly publishes data on the conquest or loss of territories by the Russian and Ukrainian sides.
The lands occupied by the Russians are in red, and it is around Pokrovsk that one can see how much the red space has increased since the beginning of July, ARD writes. Deep State data shows that there last month the Russian military captured the most territory compared to other areas of the front.
An officer who is in Pokrovsk said on Ukrainian television that enemy units have already tried to invade the city. However, the Ukrainian military has so far managed to stop them. "These are small groups that come from all sides like ants, two or three people at a time. They are being eliminated systematically. The Russians will naturally try to besiege the city and cut off our logistical routes", the officer quoted by ARD points out.
Pokrovsk is an important junction
If Ukraine loses control of Pokrovsk, it will be a serious loss, notes military expert Oleksandr Saenko. Since Pokrovsk is a "significant logistical hub when it comes to supplying and moving Ukrainian units".
And from Pokrovsk, Russian troops can then proceed to Sloviansk, Kramatorsk and Pavlohrad, ARD explains.
Russia reports capture of Chasov Yar
Ukraine is under increasing pressure elsewhere as well - last week Russia reported that it had fully captured the town of Chasov Yar. There is no confirmation from Ukraine yet.
Military expert Saenko does not believe that this city is of great strategic importance - it is too small. "From an operational and tactical point of view, capturing it brings a certain advantage, but it will not decide the fate of the entire battle for Donbass," the expert says.
Meanwhile, in Pokrovsk, military doctors notice that Russian troops are getting closer and closer. Doctor Serhiy says that a particularly large number of Russian soldiers have been sent to the region. Over the past month, the front line has been shifted by between eight and ten kilometers. "It is not clear how much longer we will stay here," says the doctor.
Author: Nils Bula (ARD)