Russia concentrates troops to surround and attack Ukraine's "last stronghold" in Donbass

(Dan Tri) - Russian and Ukrainian forces continue to fight in Pokrovsk, considered Kiev's last stronghold in the Donbass region.

The city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region has become the center of fierce fighting, considered the last stronghold of the Ukrainian armed forces in the region, the military news site Avia Pro reported.

The Neue Zurcher Zeitung newspaper commented that losing control of Pokrovsk could have far-reaching consequences for Ukraine, not only militarily but also economically.

Pokrovsk is located at the crossroads of major transport routes, making it an important logistics center for the Ukrainian military.

The city is a bridge between Kramatorsk, Slavyansk and other strategically important settlements in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine. Its fall could destabilize defense lines and complicate the resupply of Kiev forces.

One of Pokrovsk's main resources is the Pokrovskoe mine, Ukraine's largest producer of coking coal. This raw material plays an important role in Ukraine's metallurgical industry.

The Pokrovskoe mine produces about 5.5 million tons of coal per year and has estimated total reserves of about 200 million tons. Metallurgical products are one of Ukraine's main sources of income and the current situation could significantly weaken this industry.

 

Pokrovsk, or Krasnoarmeysk, is one of the few major population centers in Donbass still under Kiev's control, and the only one west of Donetsk. The city was once a major supply hub for Ukraine's frontline fortifications, but as Russian forces continued to push westward, it became part of Kiev's frontline.

Moscow claims to have annexed Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region and sees control of Pokrovsk as a crucial stepping stone to integrating the entire region into Russia. 

Control of the city, which Russian media have called the "gateway to Donetsk," would allow Moscow to disrupt Ukrainian supply lines along the eastern front and advance an operation to capture Chasiv Yar, which sits on higher ground and could potentially control a wider area.

Tightening the Ukrainian army's access to the road network in the vicinity would make it difficult for Kiev's army to hold territories on both flanks of Pokrovsk, which could allow Russia to consolidate and advance to the front line.

Military analysts say the Russian military has increased pressure on the Pokrovsk region, seeking to encircle the city. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military is conducting defensive operations, trying to hold the strategically important area.

However, Neue Zurcher Zeitung commented that Pokrovsk appeared to be on the brink of collapse, despite all Ukraine's efforts.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has considered the defense of the Pokrovsk and Kurakhovo regions in Donbass the most difficult task of the Ukrainian army.

Ukrainian military commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said that the Ukrainian army in and around Pokrovsk is ready to respond to the Russian offensive by continuously strengthening its positions. He also mentioned sending reservists, ammunition and new equipment to strengthen the defenses.

Russian forces have taken control of villages and other settlements south of Pokrovsk in recent months.

Ukraine says Russia has gone all out to try to break through while suffering heavy losses. Moscow claims Ukrainian forces are suffering heavy losses. 

A Ukrainian military official said the Ukrainian military leadership has replaced the commander overseeing defense in the Donetsk region, where the city of Pokrovsk is located.