The most intense fighting continues near the strategically important city of Pokrovsk, in Donetsk region. The Pokrovsk direction remains one of the hottest sections of the front, and over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian military forces have repelled 52 Russian attacks there, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports.
Pokrovsk, which had a pre-war population of about 61,000, is a key transportation hub. It sits on a main road that serves as a supply route to other Ukrainian-held outposts, such as Chasiv Yar and Kostyantynivka in Donetsk region. Russian forces have advanced even closer to a strategic route northeast of the city.
On Saturday, the Kremlin announced control of the village of Lozuvatske, located about 6 km from the highway. The Russian Defense Ministry also reported the capture of the villages of Progress, Yevgenivka and Vovche, east of Pokrovsk. Ukraine has not yet commented on these claims.
Serhiy Dobryak, head of the Pokrovsk military administration, told Radio Free Europe that the city is currently 20 km from the front line. He also said that many residents are in no hurry to evacuate, although about 60,000 people remain in the city, including 4,000 children. In addition, residents of Toretsk are being evacuated to Pokrovsk.
The situation in the Pokrovsky direction remains extremely difficult. Roman Bugayev, a senior officer of the 47th OMBR rocket artillery battery, said that the enemy has a 10:1 manpower advantage and is constantly attacking the positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. According to him, this is a “huge invasion.”.
Meanwhile, the Kharkiv Military District reports that Russian assault groups are preparing for an offensive in the areas of Hlyboki. The occupiers are also strengthening combat guard posts on their territory in the Sotnytskyi Kozachko area.
The war in Ukraine continues, and the situation remains tense on all fronts.
