Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited troops near Pokrovsk, a town in the Donetsk region where intense fighting is currently concentrated. He met personnel at a command post in the Dobropillya sector, approximately 20km (12 miles) north of Pokrovsk.
Presidential Visit and Strategic Context
President Zelensky's visit included meetings with soldiers and Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskiy. Zelensky posted photos from the Dobropillya sector. Kyiv's top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskiy, stated on Monday that Ukraine was increasing pressure on the Dobropillya front to disperse Russian forces and prevent their concentration in the Pokrovsk area. Pokrovsk is described as a strategic frontline town and logistics hub that Russia has been attempting to seize for over a year. The town, once home to 60,000 people, has been largely destroyed and nearly emptied of civilians.
Situation in Pokrovsk
Russian soldiers have reportedly infiltrated Pokrovsk. On Friday, Zelensky stated that Russia had amassed 170,000 troops on its outskirts.
Conflicting claims regarding the situation in and around Pokrovsk persist from both Ukrainian and Russian sources:
- Ukrainian Statements: General Syrskiy acknowledged Ukrainian troops were withstanding "pressure of a multi-thousand enemy grouping" and denied any encirclement.
- Russian Claims: Russian military bloggers claimed 90% of Pokrovsk was under Moscow's control.
- Third-Party Assessment: The US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that Russian forces were operating with "increasing comfort" within the town.
Unverified videos circulating on social media show instances of close-quarter combat, drone attacks, and street battles in the area.
Broader Front and Logistics
Capturing Pokrovsk could potentially give Russian forces access to other towns in Donetsk, including Kramatorsk, Slovyansk, Kostyantynivka, and Druzhkivka, referred to as the "fortress belt."
Further east, Russian troops are reportedly targeting the town of Myrnohrad, which could place Ukrainian soldiers at risk of encirclement. Intense drone activity has reportedly disrupted many logistics routes, impacting evacuations and the supply of ammunition and vehicles.