Escalating Conflict in Eastern Ukraine
The ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine continues to intensify, with Russian forces making gradual gains in the Donetsk region. The situation remains particularly dire near the cities of Kurajove and Pokrovsk, where Russian troops have recently made significant progress.
Russian Advances and Ukrainian Defenses
Russian forces have been advancing westwards into several villages south of Pokrovsk, capturing hundreds of meters of territory per week. However, Ukrainian defenders have managed to hold their ground, with no urban fighting reported within the city limits. According to Victor Tregubov, spokesman for the ‘Khortitsia’ command of the Ukrainian forces, the Russians have not reached the outskirts of the city but are attempting to surround it.
The closest Russian troops have come to the city is in the village of Shevchenko, approximately two to three kilometers away. Ukrainian forces have successfully repelled small groups of Russian soldiers who attempted to infiltrate the city’s suburbs.
Reinforcements and Logistics
Ukraine has sent reinforcements to the area, with Tregubov noting that the city is well-fortified and the enemy is reluctant to launch a frontal assault. However, Russian forces continue to attack the city and surrounding logistics routes with kamikaze drones, launching around 40 assaults per day.
Russian troops have also been using heavy flamethrowers in the area, which has allowed them to advance approximately 500-800 meters towards the highway between Pokrovsk and Pavlograd. This has resulted in intense fighting, with Russia launching 38 assaults in the zone on Wednesday alone.
Civilian Impact and Humanitarian Concerns
The ongoing conflict has had a devastating impact on civilians in the region. Pokrovsk, which had a pre-invasion population of around 60,000, now has only 7,000 residents remaining. Many are afraid to leave their homes and lives behind, clinging to the hope that Russian forces can be stopped before the city is destroyed.
Vital services such as gas, water, and electricity supplies are being disrupted due to damage from Russian attacks, with some districts becoming too dangerous to enter.
Broader Front Line Dynamics
Russia’s strategy of encircling cities rather than launching frontal assaults is being employed elsewhere on the front line, including near Kurajove and Velyka Novosilka. In areas where Ukraine has a more defensible position, its forces have been able to hold out for months, as seen in Chasiv Yar.
Russia continues to fire more artillery shells than Ukraine, but Ukrainian forces have a greater ability to destroy enemy artillery systems due to the increased accuracy and range of modern artillery systems. However, Ukraine remains vulnerable to guided aerial bombs dropped by Russian planes, highlighting the need for long-range weapons and air defenses.