Ukrainian Advances in Kursk Fail to Ease Pressure on Donetsk Region

Ukrainian authorities have urged residents of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region to evacuate quickly, as Russian forces advance towards the city. Russian troops are now less than 10 kilometers from Pokrovsk, a strategic location due to its significance as a transport and industrial hub, as well as its coal-rich area. Before the war, Pokrovsk had a population of around 600,000, though it is unclear how many remain after the Russian invasion. In recent days, approximately 2,000 people, including children and adults, have been evacuated from the city.

Despite the Ukrainian army's advances into Russia's Kursk region, observers note that this offensive has not yet reduced Russian pressure in Donetsk. Russian forces are continuing their push in the Donetsk region, with military analysts predicting an imminent and intense battle for control of Pokrovsk.

Assault units of the Ukrainian armed forces have made progress in the Kursk region, advancing between one and three kilometers in certain areas. Ukrainian forces now control 82 settlements in the region, according to General Oleksandr Syrskyi the commander-in-chief. Air Force Commander Mykola Oleschuk confirmed that Ukrainian pilots are actively conducting combat missions, targeting enemy strongholds, logistics centers, and supply routes.

It is believed that General Syrskyi had anticipated that the Russian forces might redirect reinforcements from the critical areas of Toretsk and Pokrovsk to defend Kursk. However, according to sources within the Luhansk Operational Tactical Group, which is active on the Pokrovsk front, Ukrainian forces have not experienced any reduction in combat intensity during the week of the operation. Russian troops continue their relentless assaults on the embattled city of Toretsk...