The battle for Pokrovsk, a crucial eastern Ukrainian city and defensive stronghold, has reached a critical phase as Russian forces advance within approximately 6 kilometers of the city.

Ukraine’s military chief, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, described the fighting as “extremely intense,” with Ukrainian troops repelling nearly 40 Russian assault attempts in a 24-hour period. The Ukrainian forces, though outnumbered, continue to maintain their defensive positions.

Pokrovsk, which had 60,000 residents before Russia’s 2022 invasion, serves as a vital logistics hub in the Donetsk region. Its potential capture would significantly impact Ukraine’s defensive capabilities and supply routes, advancing Russia’s goal of controlling the entire Donetsk region. The Russian strategy involves overwhelming Ukrainian defenses through superior numbers and the use of powerful glide bombs to destroy fortifications.

While Russian forces have made progress in their Donetsk operation, the Institute for the Study of War notes that these gains have come at a “massive cost” in terms of troops and equipment, potentially limiting their ability to conduct more extensive offensive operations in the future. The Ukrainian defense, supported by Western military aid, has made Russian advances both slow and costly.

Internal tensions within the Ukrainian military command have emerged as pressure mounts. Reports indicate that Gen. Syrskyi has personally taken charge of some brigades around Pokrovsk. Serhii Filimonov, commander of the “Da Vinci Wolves” battalion, publicly criticized the defense situation, describing it as a “disaster” and accusing senior officers of making unrealistic demands while lacking frontline awareness.

Read more: Russian forces edge closer to a key eastern Ukraine city in ’intense’ fighting, officials say

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