Maria Honcharenko, 69 years old and living in Pokrovsk. Says it was about time she left her hometown and packed only a small bag with her two kittens. The nervous husband of a woman on the bus cannot believe he is still alive. When after enduring months of headhunting for where each inch of city is plastered with internal strife, shooting, with the front line of the city only about 8 kilometers further. Escapes Ukrainians empire of tips are brought to the site. Because there is no longer any other means of transportation such as trains, volunteers help with the evacuation.
Significance of Pokrovsk Strategically PokrovskÂ
Pokrovsk plays a very important role as a transport crossroad in Ukraine. The fall of the city will cut one of the arterial supply lines and may compel Ukraine to find other ways of advance by pulling out from Chasiv Yar with frontlines pushed nearer to Kramatorsk. For Ukraine, this would mark a severe defeat, as it would be forced to drop the entire Donetsk region except for its war-torn capital into Russia’s lap.
Improvements in Russian Position and Operational Flaws PokrovskÂ
Russia recently announced the capture of Novohrodivka just ten kilometers away from Pokrovsk as its own Ukrainian troops in the region acknowledged it as retreated. They outnumber Ukrainian forces in this area by 10 times and more. The conditions in Pokrovsk became more severe after a Russian strike against a substation left most of the city without electricity and water shortages occurred.
Emptying Population and a Ghost Town
Pokrovsk is dying all too quickly. It is no longer the same city that had over 48000 residents two months ago because half have already fled. The central part of the city, which was once lined with shops and cafes, sounds alarmingly empty now. Most companies, financial institutions, and healthcare facilities have shut down, and pits are being excavated in nearby farms regarding the extension of the attacks.
Ukrainian Counteroffensive and Its Difficulties
In spite of these continuous self-brainwashing assaults, they stabilized the northern flank of Pokrovsk and positioned Ukrainian armed forces there. On the other hand, Russian forces brave aggressive offensive strikes on the southern flank, focusing mainly on Selidove town. The forces of the Ukrainian army, meanwhile, comprise American-made M-101 howitzers and has been firing routine after routine close to 200 rounds per day to fight off the advancing Russians.
Russian Glide Bombs, Fear of Such A Tool
The dark side of these munitions that surprises lots of troops is the glide bombs that the Russians use. And which the Ukrainians especially dread. They retreat to the dugouts after every series of rounds to allow any Russian. Who may want to counter-barrage them to die down. While waiting for the sound of glide bombs on the distant horizon.
