Russian forces are tightening their grip around the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, which serves as a key logistics hub for the Kyiv government's military.
Ukrainian M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle near the city of Pokrovsk, Donetsk region on January 28.
While Ukrainian units continue to hold out for Pokrovsk, encircling or even taking control of the city could give the Russian military a major advantage in deploying several offensives in eastern Ukraine and increasing pressure on Kyiv government forces at a crucial moment in the fighting, according to a Reuters analysis on January 31.
The situation in Pokrovsk is bleak. According to local authorities, only 7,000 people remain out of a population of about 60,000 before the fighting broke out. The last post office in the city has recently closed and mail is delivered by armored vehicles.
Ukraine’s key east-west highway at Pokorovsk is under Russian artillery fire. Most traffic is now taking a detour into Pokorovsk for safety reasons.
Over the past few days, Moscow government troops have advanced to the main railway line leading into the city, which connects to the most important logistical gateway in eastern Ukraine, the city of Dnipro.
"The overall situation is difficult, the enemy is constantly attacking on the ground," Reuters quoted an officer with the alias Phoenix, deputy commander of Ukraine's 59th assault brigade, the unit fighting on the Pokrovsk front.
The officer said the Russian forces had superior infantry numbers, attacked in small groups, were willing to pay the price for victory, and skillfully exploited the terrain and low visibility conditions to hide from the Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
"The Russians are advancing day and night," Officer Phoenix reported from the front line.
Pokrovsk's road and rail network has made the city a vital supply hub for much of Ukraine's frontline, although recent pressure from Russian artillery and UAVs has limited this function.
Expert Michael Kofman of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (headquartered in Washington, USA) analyzed that the important role of Pokrovsk means that if this place falls into Russian hands, the Moscow government's army can use the city as a springboard to carry out military advances north or west in eastern Ukraine.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nga-tiep-can-thanh-pho-then-chot-cua-ukraine-chuan-bi-cho-da-tien-tuong-lai-185250131154523271.htm
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