An article published in The Washington Post reports that despite Ukraine’s gains in a two-week offensive on Russian territory, Russian forces are continuing to advance in eastern Ukraine. This development has already led to the evacuation of Pokrovsk, a key logistics hub.
Open-source cartographic data shows Russian units approaching the villages of Grodovka, Krasny Yar, and Novogrodovka east of Pokrovsk. Experts believe this could indicate a possible breakthrough by Russian troops.
“There is some evidence that the Russians are actually advancing on the last line of defense near Pokrovsk,” said Franz-Stefan Gadi, a military analyst at the Vienna Center for a New American Security.
The loss of Pokrovsk, a logistics hub at the intersection of two major roads in eastern Ukraine, could open the way for further Russian advances in this industrial region, which has long been the focus of its offensive.
According to analysts, Russia's steady advance indicates a possible weakness in Ukraine's strategy, as Kyiv's hopes of limiting Russian advances in the east by transferring reserves to the Kursk region have not yet been justified.
“The situation in Donbas looks quite worrying to me,” says military analyst Gadi.
In his opinion, Russia still has a significant advantage in manpower and firepower over Ukrainian troops.
“The more important question is what reserves are now unavailable” in Pokrovsk, but could have been available if not for the operation in Kursk Oblast, Gadi noted.
“War is always a choice… The question is, is it the right choice to send forces to expand the front line, or would it be wiser to keep reserves and stabilize the front line in Donbas?” asks Gadi.
