Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi has come under fire from military personnel, lawmakers and military analysts after the rapid advance of Russian troops in eastern Ukraine. According to information released by the Financial Times, the criticism arose after Kyiv launched an audacious invasion of Russia's Kursk region, which led to unforeseen consequences.
At the beginning of the operation, many Ukrainians supported the breakthrough of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) into the Kursk region, hoping that this adventure would force Moscow to redirect its resources to a new front and change the pace of the war in favor of Ukraine. However, the strategic situation has changed, and now a breakthrough on the front line in the strategically important Donetsk region has caused a negative reaction against the leadership in Kyiv.
Critics claim that the redeployment of thousands of battle-hardened Ukrainian troops to the Kursk operation has weakened Ukraine's position in the east. Russian troops, as a result, approached the strategically important city of Pokrovsk, occupying several nearby towns this week. This forced the undermanned Ukrainian units to retreat from prepared defensive positions.
According to the Ukrainian analytical group Frontelligence Insight, Pokrovsk is one of the two key railway and road hubs in the Donetsk region. The loss of this city would threaten the logistical support of the Ukrainian military in the entire region.
Satellite images analyzed by researchers from Finland's Black Bird Group show that Russian troops are only 8 km from Pokrovsk. According to the available information, the local authorities have already ordered the evacuation of the residents of this area in connection with the approach of the enemy.
Critics believe that Zelenskyi's decision to launch an offensive in the Kursk region was too risky and led to serious strategic losses for Ukraine. These events highlight the complexity of military strategies and the need for careful planning in the context of active hostilities.
