Over the nearly four years of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, similar encirclement threats have arisen repeatedly.
Ukrainian defenders are conducting search and assault operations and eliminating the enemy in the urban area of Pokrovsk. This is stated in the message from the Eastern Group of Forces.
"Search and assault operations and elimination of the enemy in the urban area continue in Pokrovsk. In Myrnohrad, Ukrainian units are holding defensive lines and eliminating the enemy on the approaches to the city. Additional logistical routes are being organized to Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad for uninterrupted supply of our units with everything necessary," the statement noted.
Meanwhile, not only military experts and journalists but also relatives of servicemen and civilians are increasingly discussing the possible loss of Pokrovsk, the feasibility of further defending the city, and the timeliness of withdrawing the Armed Forces of Ukraine units from the 'semi-encirclement' to save the lives of soldiers, reports Radio Liberty.
Over the nearly four years of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, similar encirclement threats have arisen repeatedly – in Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Vuhledar. The military-political leadership has each time decided to hold the defense of these cities, sometimes at the cost of significant losses, mostly not explaining the logic of such decisions to the public.
According to local authorities, at the end of October, about 1,250 civilians remained in Pokrovsk. As of the end of November (according to the Donetsk Regional Military Administration), this figure had not changed.
ISW analysts note: it took Russian troops 21 months to advance approximately 40 kilometers after capturing Avdiivka and begin the operation to encircle the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad salient. ISW considers it "very likely" that Russia will eventually capture both cities, but they do not venture to name any timelines or consequences for the front. Analysts note that Russia's military campaign to capture the rest of Donetsk region may require several years of heavy fighting.
Due to the approaching Russian army, constant shelling, and bombings, access to the city is now restricted. By the end of July, according to local authorities, evacuation was practically impossible. The head of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration, Vadym Filashkin, reported that almost 90% of buildings in Pokrovsk have been destroyed.
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