Russian forces made advances near two settlements in the Pokrovsk direction, according to analysts from DeepState on 18 September.
The report indicates that Russian troops have moved forward in Hrodivka and Ukrainske, both located near Pokrovsk in the Donetsk Oblast.
The Pokrovsk direction has become a focal point of intense fighting. Control of this area could potentially allow Russian forces to threaten key Ukrainian-held cities in Donetsk Oblast while Ukrainian defenders are striving to maintain their positions and prevent further Russian advances.
The analysts also note that “Russian forces advancement is observed near Stelmakhivka in the Luhansk Oblast.” Battles continue in the area of Zhelanne Pershe in the Kurakhove direction.
The Armed Forces General Staff has not officially confirmed these Russian gains. According to military data, “The Russian troops are focusing its main efforts on the Pokrovsk direction, where they launched 34 assaults in a day.” The report adds, “43 combat engagements were recorded in the Kurakhove direction.”
Local authorities reported that the Russian army was approximately 10 kilometers from the city in August. On 5 October, the commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s military, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said that “Ukrainian forces managed to stop the advance of the Russian troops in the Pokrovsk direction.”
The city has faced significant challenges. On 6 September, electricity disappeared in Pokrovsk due to the shelling of energy facilities. Less than a week later, on 12 September, the city’s water supply was reported to have stopped.
According to the Regional Military Administration, some 26,000 people remain in Pokrovsk, including 1,076 children. More than 90% of institutions serving the population have already been closed in the city.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on 13 September that the situation in the Pokrovsk direction has been leveling off in recent weeks.
“After the Kursk operation, the gap between Ukraine’s Armed Forces in terms of shells decreased from 1:12 to 1:2.5,” he added.
Read also:
- ISW: Ukraine advances in Vovchansk, near Pokrovsk, Russians make gains near Kreminna and Chasiv Yar
- Frontline report: Russian forces finally sacrifice Pokrovsk offensive to defend Kursk
- Ukraine boosts 2024 defense budget by $12 billion amid ongoing war
- Ukraine to implement new defense planning system by 2025 for NATO interoperability
