According to Janek Kesselmann, the deputy commander of the Estonian Military Intelligence Center, Ukrainian troops may be forced to withdraw from the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast. This was reported by ERR on Oct. 4. The city has been the site of intense fighting for several months and is a key location for Ukrainian forces.
As of Oct. 4, Russian forces were only 7 kilometers away from the outskirts of Pokrovsk, according to local authorities. In the past week, there have been an average of 167 Russian attacks per day on the front line, with 50% of them targeting the Donetsk direction. Kesselmann stated that Russia has advanced 1-2 kilometers in the past week and is now only 5-7 kilometers away from the outskirts of Pokrovsk.
Kesselmann predicts that if this level of intensity continues, Ukrainian forces will likely be forced to withdraw from Pokrovsk by the end of 2024 and take up positions further back. He also highlighted the recent capture of Vuhledar by Russian troops as a significant event. The town had been defended by Ukraine‘s 72nd Mechanized Brigade for nearly two years, but they were forced to withdraw on Oct. 1.
Due to the ongoing Russian attacks, residents of the northern part of Donetsk Oblast will be without water for an indefinite period of time, according to Donetsk Oblast Governor Vadym Filashkin. The situation is becoming increasingly dire, with the train station in Pokrovsk being closed for civilian evacuations and evacuations now departing from Pavlohrad, a city 100 kilometers away.
In conclusion, the situation in Pokrovsk is critical as Russian forces continue to advance and Ukrainian forces may be forced to withdraw. The town’s population has already been significantly reduced due to ongoing evacuations, and the lack of water supply is adding to the difficulties faced by residents.
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