Ocheretyne settlement hromada

Moscow and Kiev swapped 103 prisoners of war each on Saturday in a UAE-brokered deal, a rare moment of coordination between the warring sides as Russia pushes ahead in east Ukraine.

Russian forces are on the verge of capturing a significant city in eastern Ukraine, Pokrovsk, marking one of their fastest military advances since the beginning of the conflict. If successful, this capture will grant Russia a strategic advantage over the Donbas region.

Reports suggest that Russia is advancing towards a significant victory over the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the key city of Pokrovsk, located in the Donetsk region. The latest updates from August 21 indicate that Ukrainian forces are facing severe pressure, with numerous attacks from Russian troops aimed at capturing this strategically crucial city.

On August 21, the Ukrainian military reported a series of intense attacks on the city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Army stated that Russian forces launched 46 assaults in the area throughout the day. While 44 of these attacks were successfully repelled, two continued into the evening.

Civilians in the city of Pokrovsk, a crucial logistical hub in eastern Ukraine, have only two weeks to evacuate as Russian forces continue their advance towards the city. Those in neighboring Myrnohrad must leave within a few days, Ukrainian officials reported today.

A new Russian airstrike targeted Kyiv overnight, as Ukraine continues to report ongoing assaults in the Donbas region. Despite these attacks, Ukrainian forces have reportedly made advances, capturing several more settlements in the Kursk region. Meanwhile, the Russian offensive remains focused on approaching the key city of Pokrovsk.

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.

The situation in the Pokrovsk direction has reached a critical juncture, with defenses collapsing in several areas largely due to a shortage of personnel. As Russian forces amass for a major offensive in Donbas, Ukrainian attempts to divert resources to an incursion into Kursk Oblast are raising questions about strategic priorities.

Russia has redoubled its offensive in Donbas over the past month, making significant advances as Ukraine awaits a boost in Western arms supplies.

Plumes of black smoke could be seen on Sunday near Ocheretyne, Russia's latest conquest since the capture of the strategic city of Avdiivka in February.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Monday said it was "not too late" for Ukraine to win the war, despite its outmanned and outgunned military struggling in the face of Russian advances while waiting for stalled weapons deliveries from allies.

Ukrainian forces have been on the defensive for months, while Russia's troops have steadily inched forward along the frontline.