Russian Attack on Pokrovsk

• Russian troops have been advancing towards Pokrovsk, a key city in eastern Ukraine, since February.
• Pokrovsk, part of Donetsk, was annexed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2022.
• The city, home to a 19th-century railway station, has been a vital logistical hub and a key railway station.
• During WWII, Pokrovsk witnessed intense battles, including the forced relocation of many residents to Nazi camps and the massacre of Jewish people.
• In 2014, Russia-backed rebels captured parts of Donetsk, focusing on Pokrovsk and Chasiv Yar.
• In August, Ukraine unexpectedly captured territories in Russia’s Kursk region, a setback for Putin.
• Russia reinforced its Kursk defense, but instead of pulling troops from the Pokrovsk axis, Russia doubled down on the offensive.
• This led to Russia making lightning advances towards Pokrovsk, forcing Ukraine to redeploy some troops back to the defense of Pokrovsk.
• If Russia takes Pokrovsk, it could seriously affect Ukraine’s resupply lines in the east and bring Russia closer to Ukraine’s deep rear.
• Ukraine is ready to dig in and hurt the Russians as much as possible before they take the city.
• Ukraine is also using drones and seeking permission from the U.S. to hit Russia using western long-range missiles.