Picture this - a city nestled between rail and road links, critical for the Ukrainian defense. We're talking about Pokrovsk, a city with a pre-war population of 60, 000, now under threat from Russian forces. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has tracked these movements, showing advances from the east and south, barely a couple of miles from the city's heart. This isn't just any city; it's a hub for Ukraine's forces, linking them across a wide part of the front line. Losing Pokrovsk would cause a logistical nightmare for Ukraine.

What makes Pokrovsk so important? Its location, around 12 miles from Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, makes it a strategic target. Capturing it could open up another region for Russian troops. But it's not going down without a fight. Ukrainian forces are bracing for the impact, with authorities evacuating children and families.

Geolocated footage from the ISW shows Russian advances near the railway line south of Pokrovsk. Pro-Moscow bloggers claim half of the nearby settlement of Dachenske has been seized, but there are conflicting accounts. Some say Russian forces are advancing from the southwest, others report assaults on Pischane. Ukrainian counterattacks near Shevchenko are also being reported.

The head of the Donetsk Oblast Military Administration, Vadym Filashkin, said Russian forces are just under two miles away from Pokrovsk. Ukrainian brigades are outnumbered, with Russian troops trying to bypass the town instead of a direct assault. Ukrainian forces are taking measures to hold positions and prevent encirclement.

The question remains: what's next? With a shortage of troops, Ukraine is facing a tough battle. Russian forces are expected to continue their push toward Pokrovsk. It’s not a matter of if, but when. But what happens after Pokrovsk? That’s the bigger question.

Russia's Push: The Battle for Pokrovsk

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