Russian Forces Encircle Ukraine’s Key Eastern City of Pokrovsk as Fighting Intensifies

Russian forces are closing in on the strategically vital eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk after capturing multiple villages to its south. The ongoing battle has forced Ukraine to halt operations at its only coking coal mine nearby, adding further strain to the country’s war economy.

Pokrovsk: A Critical Transport and Supply Hub

Pokrovsk, historically known by its Soviet-era name Krasnoarmeysk, is a major road and rail junction in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region. Before the war, the city had a population of around 60,000. However, recent reports indicate that only 7,000 residents remain as heavy fighting rages.

The city is strategically located on a crucial supply route used by Ukraine’s military to support embattled towns, including Chasiv Yar and Kostiantynivka. Losing Pokrovsk could significantly weaken Ukraine’s logistical capabilities in the region.

Ukraine’s Only Coking Coal Mine Shuts Down

The Pokrovsk coal mine, the last facility producing coking coal essential for Ukraine’s steel industry, has ceased operations due to security concerns. The decision, announced by steelmaker Metinvest in mid-January, threatens to cut Ukraine’s steel production by more than half.

University Damaged Amid Ongoing Shelling

Since 2014, Pokrovsk has been home to a major technical university, the largest and oldest in the region. However, the institution has suffered extensive damage from shelling, with many windows shattered or boarded up. The war has disrupted educational activities, with much of the university’s infrastructure rendered unusable.

Moscow Seeks Full Control of Donetsk Region

Russia has declared its annexation of Ukraine’s Donetsk region, a move condemned as illegal by Kyiv and Western nations. Capturing Pokrovsk is seen as a critical step in consolidating control over the entire region.

Russian media have labeled Pokrovsk as “the gateway to Donetsk,” emphasizing its importance in disrupting Ukrainian supply lines. Taking control of the city could strengthen Russia’s push toward Chasiv Yar, which sits on elevated terrain, providing a strategic advantage over the wider battlefield.

Russian Forces Advance in a Pincer Movement

Open-source intelligence reports indicate that Russian troops are maneuvering from both the southeast and southwest, attempting to encircle Pokrovsk. Military analysts suggest that cutting off Ukrainian access to nearby roads could further pressure Kyiv’s defenses, potentially forcing a withdrawal.

Ukrainian Command Shake-Up Amid Escalating Battle

In response to the growing Russian offensive, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy replaced Brigadier General Andriy Hnatov as commander of the eastern front on Jan. 26. He was succeeded by Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, who also retains his previous responsibilities as overall ground forces commander.

This reshuffle follows a December decision to replace General Oleksandr Lutsenko, who faced criticism for failing to halt Russia’s advances in Donetsk. His successor, General Oleksandr Tarnavskiy, now oversees defensive operations in the region.

Ukraine’s top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, has assured that troops in and around Pokrovsk have reinforced defensive positions and received fresh supplies of ammunition and equipment.

Both Sides Sustain Heavy Losses

Russian forces have secured multiple villages south of Pokrovsk, pushing relentlessly to break Ukrainian defenses. Ukraine claims that Moscow is suffering massive casualties in the process, while Russia insists Ukrainian troops are bearing significant losses. Neither side has disclosed full casualty numbers.

Zelenskyy’s Visit and Pokrovsk’s Dire Humanitarian Crisis

In November, President Zelenskyy visited Pokrovsk to meet frontline troops and distribute military awards. However, the situation in the city has deteriorated since then.

Despite the Ukrainian flag still flying over Pokrovsk, the city is on the brink of collapse. It has no electricity, gas, heating, or running water. Recent footage from Jan. 27 shows devastated apartment blocks, empty streets, and elderly residents being evacuated from makeshift shelters.

A December video documented the grim conditions, capturing the sound of nearby shelling, anti-tank obstacles known as “dragon’s teeth” lining the roads, and a lone grocery store operating on a generator. Many remaining residents say they have nowhere else to go and lack the financial means to leave.

As the battle for Pokrovsk intensifies, the city’s fate hangs in the balance, with its strategic importance making it a critical flashpoint in the ongoing war.

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