Despite the recent invasion of Ukrainian troops into the Kursk region, which should reduce pressure on Donbas, Russia continues to demonstrate success in its campaign in eastern Ukraine. The latest news suggests that the key city of Pokrovsk, located in the industrial region of Donbas, is subject to evacuation as Ukrainian forces face an increasing onslaught of Russian troops.
According to The Times, Ukrainian military commanders claim that despite successes on other fronts, the situation in the Pokrovsk region is critical. The military notes that the lack of the necessary artillery, new Russian tactics, including the use of planning bombs and electronic warfare, and the enemy's numerical superiority significantly complicate the situation. Captain Dzvenislava Rymar of the 47th Brigade noted that the Ukrainian soldiers were exhausted and needed reinforcements, as the Russians outnumbered them.
Last week, the Kyiv government decided to forcibly evacuate Pokrovsk in order to protect civilians. Maria Pryazhnikova, an 88-year-old widow who survived the Nazi blockade of Leningrad during World War II, was forced to leave her city after a 20-hour journey in an overcrowded carriage. Also among the refugees were Kateryna Golentovska with her daughter and Svitlana Lastovchenko, who saw her apartment building turn into ruins during rocket fire.
While the evacuation of civilians continues in Ukraine, Russian troops are making progress in seizing new territories. If Pokrovsk falls, it will be the biggest defeat for Ukrainian forces since the capture of Bakhmut last May. The local administration has already left the city, and 53,000 residents are preparing for the worst.
At the same time, the Ukrainian military continues active operations in the northwest, where the recent invasion of the Kursk region forced Russian troops to go on the defensive. This invasion "greatly raised the morale" of Ukrainian military and civilians, says Lieutenant Mykhailo Luzhetskyi. However, questions remain open: will this become a strategic advantage or just a temporary distraction from the worsening situation in Donbas.
Analysts believe that the invasion of the Kursk region can be either an act of genius or an act of desperation. "Ukraine was forced to change the narrative to show that, despite losses in the east, it is still capable of inflicting damage on the enemy," noted analyst Matthew Saville of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). Depending on further actions, this strategic maneuver may affect Ukraine's international support and its ability to cope with Russian aggression.
