DONETSK OBLAST – Gasping for air from a trench in eastern Ukraine, an infantryman was ready for the worst when a suffocating white smoke spread into his position. A Russian drone had just dropped a gas grenade into the trench, an internationally banned practice in warfare used to suffocate Ukrainian soldiers
Key developments on Aug. 29: * F-16 fighter jet crashes in Ukraine, military confirms * Fighting near Pokrovsk 'exceptionally brutal,' Syrskyi says * Russian troops forced to retreat in Vovchansk after failed assault preparations, Ukraine says * 'Systems are there, what is lacking is final go' — Kuleba urges partners not to delay Patriot
"The enemy throws everything that can move and advance into the battle, trying to break through the defenses of our troops," Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said.
"Starting Monday (Sep. 2), only ATMs will work (in Pokrovsk). There will be no banks. This also applies to all areas of other services that cater for our population," Donetsk Oblast Governor Vadym Filashkin said.
Russian troops were advancing faster in the Pokrovsk sector before the Kursk operation started, President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a press conference on Aug. 27 in response to a question by the Kyiv Independent.
One of the objectives of Ukraine's Kursk Oblast operation was to divert a significant number of Russian forces from other sectors, primarily from the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove sectors in Donetsk Oblast, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Aug. 27.
Key developments on Aug. 23: * Ukraine withdraws from positions near Pokrovsk to avoid Russian encirclement, ISW says * Ukraine confirms sinking of Russian ferry in Kerch Strait * U.S. targets around 400 individuals, entities in Russia, third countries in new sanctions package * Norway to finance production of NATO-standard artillery shells in
Pokrovsk is an important logistical hub for the Ukrainian forces that supports their operations in Donetsk Oblast.
Key developments on Aug. 19: * Ukraine in control of 92 settlements in Russia's Kursk Oblast, Zelensky claims * Ukraine hits 3rd bridge in Kursk Oblast, Russia claims * Pokrovsk residents have 2 weeks to evacuate as Russian forces advance, authorities say * Denmark announces $115 million military aid package, says supplied equipment can
An average of 500-600 people leave the city every day, and 60% of the residents leave the city using their transport, according to city administration head Serhii Dobriak.
An unfinished nine-story building came under the Russian attack in Myrnohrad, Donetsk Oblast Governor Vadym Filashkin said.
DONETSK OBLAST – Along a bumpy highway that used to link the cities of Pokrovsk and now occupied Donetsk, used to lie quiet and picturesque towns and villages whose names only locals would know. Yet – Novohrodivka, Selydove, Petrivka – are now well-known in Ukraine, stuck between the advancing Russian troops and their
"People are leaving, but not as quickly or urgently as we would like and as the situation requires," administration head Yurii Tretiak said on air on RFE/RL, adding that 20,000 remain there, including around 1,000 children.
Pokrovsk is an important logistical hub for the Ukrainian forces that supports their operations in Donetsk Oblast.
Russia has moved parts of its units from several directions in Ukraine, including the south sector to reinforce its defenses in Kursk Oblast, Dmytro Lykhovii, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Tavria Group, said on Aug. 12.
"Russian Ground Forces have continued conducting offensive operations along multiple areas of the front line, with Russia achieving further tactical advances," the British Defense Ministry said.
More than 700 children from four communities in Donetsk Oblast will be evacuated away from the front line, Donetsk Oblast Governor Vadym Filashkin said on Aug. 4 as heavy battles continue in the direction of Pokrovsk.
Speaking in his daily address on Aug. 2., President Volodymyr Zelensky said those fighting in the Pokrovsk sector "are in many ways the basis of defense in the entire east of our country."
Key developments on Aug. 1: * Pokrovsk became Russia's main target after Kharkiv push failed, Zelensky says * Russia suffers big losses but has 'minor gains' on eastern front, Syrskyi says * Ukraine received 6 F-16s from Netherlands, The Times reports * Defense Ministry to purchase Ukrainian-made unmanned ground vehicles * Russian shelling kills mother,
After Russia's Kharkiv Oblast offensive failed, Moscow began concentrating its efforts in the east, "throwing everything they have" in the Pokrovsk direction, President Volodymyr Zelensky told French media on July 30.
A total of 60,000 people, including 4,000 children, remain in Pokrovsk, Serhii Dobriak, head of the city's military administration, said. Another 4,000 children have been evacuated.
Despite the tense situation near Pokrovsk, "Ukraine has the strength to achieve its goals," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Moscow's troops are attempting to break through Ukrainian defenses in the area, and the sector near Pokrovsk in the western part of Donetsk Oblast has become the hottest part of the front in recent weeks.
Key updates on July 24: * Pokrovsk situation 'tense and difficult,' Ukrainian military says * Russia outguns Ukraine but suffers 3 times higher losses, Syrskyi says. * Ukraine, Russia seemingly 'in unison' on peace talks, claims Kremlin, while Kyiv remains skeptical * Rheinmetall receives order to build ammunition factory in Ukraine. * Moscow car
Moscow is expending significant resources to break through toward this key logistics hub, a spokesperson of the Khortytsia group of forces told the Kyiv Independent earlier on July 24.
"As of this morning, in the Pokrovsk direction, our defenders repelled 41 enemy attacks in the areas of Panteleimonivka, Novooleksandrivka, Vozdvyzhenka, Prohres, Novoselivka Persha, Umanske, and Yasnobrodivka," Lieutenant Colonel Nazar Voloshyn added.
Four days earlier, the Khortytsia group of forces said it had shot down another Russian Su-25 jet near Pokrovsk.
"In fact, active hostilities of varying intensity are taking place along the entire frontline," Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi said.
The General Staff reported that the "hottest" situation currently lies in Pokrovsk, where Russian forces attacked Ukrainian positions 35 times.
Russian forces carried out several attacks against Donetsk Oblast on July 12, killing six people and injuring at least 19 others, Ukraine's State Emergency Service reported.
Outgunned and outmanned, Ukrainian soldiers struggling to hold the front line in a brutal, months-long Russian siege of Chasiv Yar are increasingly worried about their army's ability to protect their rear. If key supply lines from the west are cut off and if troops to their south are overrun, they
The attack on Pokrovsk came amid a widespread series of Russian strikes across Ukraine, including Kyiv, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, and other cities.
