The fighting around the key city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine is extremely intense after a month of Russian pressure. This was stated by a senior Ukrainian military commander, and according to analysts' estimates, Russian forces are located only a few kilometers from the city, reports the Associated Press, quoted by BTA.
Ukrainian forces have repelled nearly 40 Russian attempts to storm the defenses around Pokrovsk in the past 24 hours, according to today's briefing by the Ukrainian General Staff.
„The Russian occupiers are throwing forward all available forces and are trying to break through the defenses of our troops,“ wrote in a post on “Facebook“ the head of the Ukrainian army, General Oleksandr Sirsky. He emphasized that the Ukrainian forces are significantly smaller.
Since the beginning of this year, Ukrainian defenses in the Donetsk region have been under increased pressure from Russian forces, who are seeking to take over the entire Donbass region. Russian troops use huge numbers of soldiers and powerful planning bombs that cause serious damage to the fortifications.
The city of Pokrovsk, with a population of around 60,000 before the start of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, is an important Ukrainian stronghold and a major supply hub in the Donetsk region. Its capture would weaken Ukrainian defenses and supply routes, bringing Russia closer to its goal of controlling all of Donetsk Oblast.
Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that Russian forces have recaptured the village of Novoivanovka in the Kursk region, Reuters reported.
Ukrainian forces seized territory in the area in a surprise incursion on August 6, and Russia has since been trying to push them out, the agency said.