Pokrovsk urban hromada

Russian forces have executed 16 Ukrainian prisoners of war near the villages of Mykolaivka and Sukhyi Yar in the Pokrovsk district of Donetsk Oblast. This incident marks the largest known execution of Ukrainian POWs during the ongoing conflict.

Walking through the deserted streets of Pokrovsk as Russian troops inch closer and closer every day, Galyna said she was not worried about the prospect of occupation.

She was making her way home as artillery echoed in the distance, before the beginning of the 3 p.m. to 11 a.m. curfew that authorities in the eastern Ukrainian city imposed due to increasing shelling.

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.

Ukrainian forces have reportedly secured new positions in Russia's Kursk region, as announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky. This marks a significant expansion of Ukrainian-controlled territory along the border. While the president did not provide specific details, he confirmed that more Russian prisoners of war had been captured, potentially to be used in future exchanges.

Russian and Ukrainian forces engaged in another night of reciprocal shelling. Ukrainian drones reportedly ignited several oil tanks in Russia's Rostov region, although it remains unclear if the "Glubokinskaya" oil depot was among the targets.

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.

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.

Day 683 of the invasion of Ukraine. Summary of key events in the last 24 hours: