The Russian army is close to capturing a key city (Pokrovsk) in eastern Ukraine, which would provide a significant strategic advantage in securing control of the entire Donbas region.
Pokrovsk is a crucial hub for railway lines and roads connecting the Donbas. A successful Russian assault would sever the Ukrainian army’s main supply routes across the region, allowing Russian forces to threaten the city directly.
Over the past week, Ukraine has deployed additional troops to defend the lines around Pokrovsk as Russia has intensified its attacks south of the city.
On Tuesday, Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Moscow to date, resulting in the death of at least one woman.
Ukraine had hoped that last month’s surprise incursion into Russia’s northern Kursk province would force Moscow to relocate its forces from Donbas. However, this has not happened, as the Russian military buildup in the east is comparable only to the early days of the war.
However, this rapidly evolving phase of the war may come to a halt with the autumn rains, which will restrict the movement of both armies. All roads, except the main ones, will become covered in mud, making the movement of heavy vehicles difficult.
