Ukraine could be facing its biggest loss for months, if the key eastern city of Pokrovsk falls to Russian forces. The battle for this strategic point on a big road and rail artery in the Donetsk region has been ongoing for well over a year.
If Russia's Vladimir Putin were able to claim victory there, three years and 10 months into his full-scale war, he would be a step closer to controlling Ukraine's industrial east - the Donbas, consisting of the neighboring regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.
Claims and counterclaims abound regarding the situation in Pokrovsk. Russia has amassed tens of thousands of troops in the area, with hundreds infiltrating the city recently, while the Ukrainian military maintains that they are engaged in active resistance and have cleared key buildings.
Despite Ukraine's assertions, intelligence suggests that Russian troops occupy large areas of Pokrovsk, risking encirclement for many Ukrainian soldiers. For their part, Russia claims that they are continuing to advance and have trapped Ukrainian units.
Historically, Pokrovsk has been significant for Ukraine as it serves as a key road and rail junction and was close to its only coking coal mine. Losing the city could lead to further Russian advances, threatening Dnipropetrovsk and other strategic locations.
Importantly, while the capture of Pokrovsk would be a blow to Ukrainian morale and military strength, analysts believe it would not necessarily lead to the fall of the entire Donetsk region. President Zelensky has affirmed that Russia will continue to face challenges in fully occupying Donbas.
The political ramifications of Pokrovsk falling could be significant, potentially influencing negotiations and military aid dynamics, especially as the winter months approach.
