Russia Targets Pokrovsk to Sever Kyiv’s Lifeline!

KYIV (Reuters) – Russian forces have intensified their attacks in the vicinity of the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to encircle it from the south and sever supply lines to Ukrainian troops, according to a statement by the Ukrainian military on Saturday.

The strategic capture of the road and rail hub situated in the eastern Donetsk region poses a grave threat to the Ukrainian army’s operations on the eastern front, potentially allowing Russia to bolster its presence and extend its frontline towards the west.

Viktor Trehubov, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Khortytsia group of forces, highlighted the ongoing intensity of hostilities in the Pokrovsk area. “The Pokrovsk direction remains highly active with the Russians launching 34 attacks within the past 24 hours, aiming to breach our defenses south of Pokrovsk,” Trehubov disclosed in an interview with Ukrainian national television.

Pokrovsk, a city known for hosting a critical coking coal mine that serves as the primary supplier to Ukraine’s significant steel industry, had a pre-war population of approximately 60,000 residents. Presently, an estimated 11,000 individuals are believed to still reside within the city limits.

Trehubov further elaborated on the Russian tactics, noting their efforts to disrupt supply routes by deploying small tactical units to settlements located to the south of Pokrovsk. “The Russian forces are avoiding direct engagement within the city due to the challenges posed by urban combat. Instead, they are attempting to circumvent Pokrovsk in order to impede logistical operations,” Trehubov explained.

In response to these threats, Kyiv’s forces have employed unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) and precision munitions in an endeavor to impede the advance of Russian troops towards their strategic objectives.

The situation in and around Pokrovsk remains tense, with the potential for escalation as both sides vie for control of this critical territory. The ongoing conflict underscores the broader conflict dynamics in the region and the significant challenges faced by Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity.

(Reporting by Pavel Polityuk; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)

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