Russian occupation troops surrounded Pokrovsk Donetsk region from the north and penetrated the city from the south and east. This settlement may become the first major city captured by the Russian army after the fall of Avdiivka in February 2024.

This is what the French publication writes about. The World It is noted that Pokrovsk is an important logistical hub. And it can serve as a springboard for the occupiers to attack the Dnipropetrovsk region.

Battles for Pokrovsk

For two years, Pokrovsk was the target of artillery, drones, and aerial bombing by the Russians. Almost all civilians left the settlement.

The hundreds of buildings still standing in Pokrovsk, even if severely damaged, provide some protection from shells. The authors note that, as a rule, urban battles cost the attacker more than the defenders, and in theory can last for months. According to the journalists, this is the scenario that the Ukrainian General Staff preferred. But with the supply cutoff, the situation changed.

What the military says about the situation in Pokrovsk

An unnamed officer, T., from a mechanized infantry brigade that has been in Pokrovsk for over a year, is outraged by the"command errors" that allowed Russian occupation forces to surround the city, the report says.

"There has been no normal supply for several weeks, and in the last few days it has completely stopped. No vehicles are passing through. A city like Pokrovsk, given its size, numerous high-rise buildings and factories with thick walls, could hold out for months, years, it's a fortress," he said.

In his opinion, the fall of the city is a matter of"days, maybe two weeks at most."

Another officer of the Marine brigade redeployed to Pokrovsk in the summer, referred to in the material as P., says that the situation is very difficult:

"Our unit still controls the quarter, where no Russians have penetrated, but the fighting is getting closer. In a few days they have penetrated all the areas."

The military believes that the enemy has a numerical advantage in both human resources and drones.

"I would say there are three times as many of them in this area as there are us. When we destroy a group of ten soldiers, another one immediately appears. We destroy a drone post? It appears in another place. Their resources seem inexhaustible," he noted.

According to P., the Russians are"patiently building up their forces in the city." Small groups of 5-10 occupiers advancing into his area enter buildings to hide as soon as they hear the drone.

Former Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Vitaliy Deynega expressed the following opinion on social media on November 2:

"If the order to withdraw from Pokrovsk and Myrnogorada is not signed quickly, we will find ourselves in a situation where we will lose a large number of highly motivated paratroopers and marines."

He added that he fears a domino effect that would lead to the enemy being able to "quickly capture the fortifications built in the rear."

War in Ukraine: situation in Pokrovsk

Stormtroopers of the 425th separate assault regiment "Skelya" cleared the building of Russian occupiers Pokrovsk City Council The Ukrainian flag flew over the building.

Meanwhile, The Guardian reports that Russian troops are tightening their grip around Pokrovsk Street fighting continues in the city.

Artem Prybylnov, head of the communications department of the 155th Anna Kyivska Motorized Rifle Brigade, says that The enemy penetrated deep into the city. According to him, the enemy has increased aerial bomb attacks on the Pokrovskaya agglomeration.