Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has visited troops near the embattled town of Pokrovsk, where fierce clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces are ongoing. Zelensky shared images of his visit to a command post in the Dobropillya sector, located approximately 20km north of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region.
According to Ukraine's top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskiy, the Ukrainian forces are intensifying their operations in the Dobropillya area to prevent the enemy from consolidating its position in Pokrovsk.
For more than a year, Russia has aimed to capture Pokrovsk—a town that serves as an important logistical hub on the front line.
During his visit, Zelensky acknowledged that, despite Russian claims of success, there has been no significant change in the front lines in recent days. He indicated that the situation remains challenging, with around a third of all front line engagements and half of all airstrikes aimed at Pokrovsk.
Reports suggest that Russian forces, now numbering around 170,000 troops on the town's borders, are pressing hard to capture the area, which could open up routes towards other significant towns in Donetsk.
The strategic significance of Pokrovsk cannot be overstated, as its capture would provide Russians with a crucial foothold in the Donetsk region, which has seen extensive military operations.
Both nations have been exchanging claims about control of the town, with some pro-Russian blogs asserting that 90% of Pokrovsk is now under Russian control. However, Ukrainian officials assert that their forces are still very present and actively fighting.
In light of escalating violence, Zelensky urged continued efforts to defend Ukrainian territory, stating, This is our country, this is our East, and we will certainly do our utmost to keep it Ukrainian. As the war continues, the battle for Pokrovsk remains critical, symbolizing the intense struggle for control in the region.
