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Amidst Ukraine's [[August 2024 Kursk Oblast incursion|incursion into Russia's Kursk Oblast]], fighting near Pokrovsk increased around 13 August, with a reported increase to 52 battles in a day in the area, greater than a third of all engagements across the frontline;<ref>{{cite web|work=Reuters|date=13 August 2024|title=Russia steps up assaults on Pokrovsk front in Ukraine's east|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-steps-up-assaults-pokrovsk-front-ukraines-east-2024-08-13/}}</ref> a representative of the [[110th Mechanized Brigade (Ukraine)|110th Mechanized Brigade]] stated that the situation near Pokrovsk had deteriorated since Ukraine's incursion, attributed to shortages in ammunition and continual Russian offensive efforts.<ref name="POL-815"/> On 13 August, Russia reportedly entered Hrodivka and aligned the frontline with the [[Kazennyi Torets]] river in the north, in the process capturing Ivanivka, {{ill|Lysychne|uk|Лисичне}}, and {{ill|Svyrdonivka|uk|Свиридонівка (Покровський район)}}.<ref>{{cite web|work=DeepStateMap.Live|title=The enemy occupied Lysychne, Ivanivka, Svyrydonivka and advanced in Hrodivka, Kostiantynivka, Nevelske, near Serhiyivka, Pishchane and Novotoretske. The enemy was pushed back near Stelmakhivka.|url=https://deepstatemap.live/#12/48.2495977/37.4232101|date=13 August 2024}}</ref> A Ukrainian official told [[Agence France-Presse]] that the incursion into Kursk had little effect on fighting in the east but that the "intensity of Russian attacks" had decreased slightly over the weekend.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2024/08/15/russia-says-captured-village-close-to-key-hub-in-east-ukraine-|title=Russia says captured village close to key hub in east Ukraine}}</ref> A Ukrainian lieutenant corroborated the report of fighting in Hrodivka, and said that "everything is very grim on the Pokrovsk front", while another Ukrainian soldier said that Russian forces were ordered to seize [[Myrnohrad]], a city east of Pokrovsk.<ref name="KP-813"/> On 14 August, Russia continued advancing, seizing Zhelanne, southeast of Hrodivka, and in the direction of [[Novohrodivka]], seizing {{ill|Orlivka, Novohrodivka urban hromada, Pokrovsk Raion, Donetsk Oblast|uk|Орлівка (Новогродівська міська громада)|lt=Orlivka}} and reportedly entering {{ill|Mykolaivka, Pokrovsk Raion, Donetsk Oblast|lt=Mykolaivka|uk|uk:Миколаївка (Новогродівська міська громада)}} and {{ill|Zhuravka, Ukraine|lt=Zhuravka|uk|Журавка (Покровський район)}}.<ref>{{cite web|work=DeepStateMap.Live|title=The enemy occupied Zhelanne and Orlivka, and advanced in New York, Mykolaivka, Zhuravka and Krasnohorivka.|url=https://deepstatemap.live/#13/48.2126632/37.4082756|date=14 August 2024}}</ref><ref name="POL-815">{{cite web|work=[[Politico]]|first=Veronika|last=Melkozerova|title=As Kyiv makes gains in Kursk, Russia strikes back in Donetsk|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-russia-offensive-prisoners-of-war-invasion-kursk-zelenskyy-putin/}}</ref> On 15 August, Ukraine was reported to be pulling reserve forces in order to prepare to defend Pokrovsk.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eadaily.com/en/news/2024/08/15/krasnoarmeysk-will-be-here-soon-the-ukrainian-armed-forces-are-preparing-for-the-defense-of-pokrovsk-pulling-up-reserves|title=Krasnoarmeysk will be here soon: the Ukrainian Armed Forces are preparing for the defense of Pokrovsk, pulling up reserves|date=August 15, 2024|website=EADaily}}</ref>
Amidst Ukraine's [[August 2024 Kursk Oblast incursion|incursion into Russia's Kursk Oblast]], fighting near Pokrovsk increased around 13 August, with a reported increase to 52 battles in a day in the area, greater than a third of all engagements across the frontline;<ref>{{cite web|work=Reuters|date=13 August 2024|title=Russia steps up assaults on Pokrovsk front in Ukraine's east|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-steps-up-assaults-pokrovsk-front-ukraines-east-2024-08-13/}}</ref> a representative of the [[110th Mechanized Brigade (Ukraine)|110th Mechanized Brigade]] stated that the situation near Pokrovsk had deteriorated since Ukraine's incursion, attributed to shortages in ammunition and continual Russian offensive efforts.<ref name="POL-815"/> On 13 August, Russia reportedly entered Hrodivka and aligned the frontline with the [[Kazennyi Torets]] river in the north, in the process capturing Ivanivka, {{ill|Lysychne|uk|Лисичне}}, and {{ill|Svyrdonivka|uk|Свиридонівка (Покровський район)}}.<ref>{{cite web|work=DeepStateMap.Live|title=The enemy occupied Lysychne, Ivanivka, Svyrydonivka and advanced in Hrodivka, Kostiantynivka, Nevelske, near Serhiyivka, Pishchane and Novotoretske. The enemy was pushed back near Stelmakhivka.|url=https://deepstatemap.live/#12/48.2495977/37.4232101|date=13 August 2024}}</ref> A Ukrainian official told [[Agence France-Presse]] that the incursion into Kursk had little effect on fighting in the east but that the "intensity of Russian attacks" had decreased slightly over the weekend.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2024/08/15/russia-says-captured-village-close-to-key-hub-in-east-ukraine-|title=Russia says captured village close to key hub in east Ukraine}}</ref> A Ukrainian lieutenant corroborated the report of fighting in Hrodivka, and said that "everything is very grim on the Pokrovsk front", while another Ukrainian soldier said that Russian forces were ordered to seize [[Myrnohrad]], a city east of Pokrovsk.<ref name="KP-813"/> On 14 August, Russia continued advancing, seizing Zhelanne, southeast of Hrodivka, and in the direction of [[Novohrodivka]], seizing {{ill|Orlivka, Novohrodivka urban hromada, Pokrovsk Raion, Donetsk Oblast|uk|Орлівка (Новогродівська міська громада)|lt=Orlivka}} and reportedly entering {{ill|Mykolaivka, Pokrovsk Raion, Donetsk Oblast|lt=Mykolaivka|uk|uk:Миколаївка (Новогродівська міська громада)}} and {{ill|Zhuravka, Ukraine|lt=Zhuravka|uk|Журавка (Покровський район)}}.<ref>{{cite web|work=DeepStateMap.Live|title=The enemy occupied Zhelanne and Orlivka, and advanced in New York, Mykolaivka, Zhuravka and Krasnohorivka.|url=https://deepstatemap.live/#13/48.2126632/37.4082756|date=14 August 2024}}</ref><ref name="POL-815">{{cite web|work=[[Politico]]|first=Veronika|last=Melkozerova|title=As Kyiv makes gains in Kursk, Russia strikes back in Donetsk|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-russia-offensive-prisoners-of-war-invasion-kursk-zelenskyy-putin/}}</ref> On 15 August, Ukraine was reported to be pulling reserve forces in order to prepare to defend Pokrovsk.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eadaily.com/en/news/2024/08/15/krasnoarmeysk-will-be-here-soon-the-ukrainian-armed-forces-are-preparing-for-the-defense-of-pokrovsk-pulling-up-reserves|title=Krasnoarmeysk will be here soon: the Ukrainian Armed Forces are preparing for the defense of Pokrovsk, pulling up reserves|date=August 15, 2024|website=EADaily}}</ref>


Also on 15 August, Serhii Dobriak, the head of the Pokrovsk City Military Administration, reported that Russian forces were only {{convert|10|km|mi}} from the city, saying that Russia was "almost right up close to our community", and urged all citizens to evacuate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://global.espreso.tv/russia-ukraine-war-russian-army-approaches-ukraines-pokrovsk-local-authorities-ask-civilians-to-evacuate|title=Russian army approaches Pokrovsk, authorities ask civilians to evacuate|website=global.espreso.tv}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://censor.net/en/news/3504915/occupiers_are_almost_close_to_pokrovsk_mma_calls_for_evacuation|title=Occupiers are almost close to Pokrovsk: MMA calls for evacuation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.nv.ua/nation/russian-forces-close-in-on-pokrovsk-authorities-urge-residents-to-evacuate-50443270.html|title=Russian forces close in on Pokrovsk, authorities urge residents to evacuate|website=english.nv.ua}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|work=[[CNN]]|date=15 August 2024|first1=Maria|first2=Caitlin|first3=Sophie|last2=Danaher|last3=Tanno|last1=Kostenko|title=Ukraine captures town of Sudzha in Russia’s Kursk region as it says advance continues|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/15/europe/kursk-incursion-sudzha-captured-ukraine-intl/index.html}}</ref>
Also on 15 August, Serhii Dobriak, the head of the Pokrovsk City Military Administration, reported that Russian forces were only {{convert|10|km|mi}} from the city, saying that Russia was "almost right up close to our community", and urged all citizens to evacuate.<ref>{{cite web|work=[[BBC News]]|date=15 August 2024|title=Ukrainian residents urged to evacuate eastern town as Russia closes in|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cy54nn4v471t?post=asset%3Ac0a6841e-4c62-44c3-a596-eb504c3bba4f#post|first1=Nathan|first2=Sophie|last2=Abdulla|last1=Williams}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|work=[[The Washington Post]]|date=15 August 2024|first1=Samya|last1=Kullab|last2=Arhirova|first2=Hanna|title=Zelenskyy says Ukrainian troops have taken full control of the Russian town of Sudzha|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/08/15/russia-belgorod-state-of-emergency/b17436ce-5ae8-11ef-93a9-023ab69f91f5_story.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|work=[[CNN]]|date=15 August 2024|first1=Maria|first2=Caitlin|first3=Sophie|last2=Danaher|last3=Tanno|last1=Kostenko|title=Ukraine captures town of Sudzha in Russia’s Kursk region as it says advance continues|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/15/europe/kursk-incursion-sudzha-captured-ukraine-intl/index.html}}</ref>


==Analysis==
==Analysis==

Revision as of 23:05, 15 August 2024

Pokrovsk offensive
Part of the eastern Ukraine campaign of the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Date18 July 2024 – present
(3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days)
Location
Pokrovsk Raion, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine
Status Ongoing
Belligerents
 Russia  Ukraine
Commanders and leaders
Russia Andrey Mordvichev Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi
Units involved
Order of battle Order of battle

The Pokrovsk offensive is an ongoing military operation in the Russian invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Armed Forces with the goal of capturing the strategic city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast. Fighting began with the capture of Prohres on 19 July, a turning point for the Russian offensive northwest of Avdiivka following the latter's capture in February 2024, and has taken place in numerous settlements east of Pokrovsk in Pokrovsk Raion.

Background

Main articles: Battle of Avdiivka (2023–2024) § Aftermath, Battle of Ocheretyne, and Eastern Ukraine campaign § Russian spring and summer campaign (April 2024–present)

Following the Russian success in the battle of Avdiivka, their forces significantly advanced north and northwest of the city to form a salient in the succeeding months. The success in the battle of Ocheretyne, fought over a city northwest of Avdiivka, led to further gains in the months leading up to July 2024.[1][2][3]

Offensive

Early stages (18–31 July)

On 18 July 2024, Russian forces entered the village of Prohres, their first major advancement directly towards the city of Pokrovsk,[4] and captured it the following day[5][6] in an engagement reportedly lasting only 48 hours.[7] The breakthrough, reportedly caused by heavy airstrikes which led to the collapse and subsequent retreat of the 110th and 47th Mechanized Brigades, allowed for quick advances along a previously stable frontline.[8][9] Two days prior, Russian forces had reportedly advanced up to the settlement of Lozuvatske [uk], north of Prohres, and began contesting it.[10] DeepStateMap.Live showed the same day a Russian advance to occupy most of the village;[11] on 20 July, Russian troops began encircling the area between the two villages, and according to some sources, surrounded multiple Ukrainian companies by 24 July,[12] which according to Forbes was "potentially hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers" of two battalions.[13][14] These soldiers, according to David Axe, however managed to escape the encirclement.[8]

On 25 July, Russia began advancing west of Prohres along a railway towards Vesele.[15] This was followed by the capture of Lozuvatske around 26 July,[16] Vovche around 27 July,[17][18][6] and Novoselivka Persha, southeast of Prohres, around 29 July.[19] The Russian advances and the "tense and difficult" situation were attributed to a lack of Ukrainian manpower and equipment.[9][20][17]

Push towards Hrodivka and Novohrodivka (1 August – present)

On 1 August, Russian forces reportedly entered the outskirts of Zhelanne and Ivanivka,[21] and between 1–4 August, captured Vesele. Russian milbloggers also claimed further advances within Ivanivka the same day.[22][21] Fighting continued in the sector on 5 and 6 August, and the increased rate of Russian advances, according to Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, made the front the most active across the frontline by early August as Russia's main offensive goal.[23][24] Russia reportedly captured Serhiivka [uk] on 7 August, and began advancing towards the town of Hrodivka,[25] the capture of which would allow for artillery strikes on Pokrovsk itself.[23] On 9 August, the UK Defense Ministry reported that Pokrovsk was only 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) away from the frontline.[26]

Amidst Ukraine's incursion into Russia's Kursk Oblast, fighting near Pokrovsk increased around 13 August, with a reported increase to 52 battles in a day in the area, greater than a third of all engagements across the frontline;[27] a representative of the 110th Mechanized Brigade stated that the situation near Pokrovsk had deteriorated since Ukraine's incursion, attributed to shortages in ammunition and continual Russian offensive efforts.[28] On 13 August, Russia reportedly entered Hrodivka and aligned the frontline with the Kazennyi Torets river in the north, in the process capturing Ivanivka, Lysychne [uk], and Svyrdonivka [uk].[29] A Ukrainian official told Agence France-Presse that the incursion into Kursk had little effect on fighting in the east but that the "intensity of Russian attacks" had decreased slightly over the weekend.[30] A Ukrainian lieutenant corroborated the report of fighting in Hrodivka, and said that "everything is very grim on the Pokrovsk front", while another Ukrainian soldier said that Russian forces were ordered to seize Myrnohrad, a city east of Pokrovsk.[31] On 14 August, Russia continued advancing, seizing Zhelanne, southeast of Hrodivka, and in the direction of Novohrodivka, seizing Orlivka [uk] and reportedly entering Mykolaivka [uk] and Zhuravka [uk].[32][28] On 15 August, Ukraine was reported to be pulling reserve forces in order to prepare to defend Pokrovsk.[33]

Also on 15 August, Serhii Dobriak, the head of the Pokrovsk City Military Administration, reported that Russian forces were only 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from the city, saying that Russia was "almost right up close to our community", and urged all citizens to evacuate.[34][35][36]

Analysis

Strategic value

Pokrovsk has been described as a strategically significant city due to its role as a supply hub; it stands as the intersection of two supply highways, one of which leads towards key inwards cities in Donetsk Oblast, including Chasiv Yar and Kostiantynivka.[9][37][31][38]

References

  1. ^ "Ukraine in maps: Tracking the war with Russia". BBC News. 14 August 2024.
  2. ^ Barnes, Joe (24 April 2024). "Russian troops advance five miles after Ukrainians left front line unmanned". The Telegraph.
  3. ^ "Frontline report: Ukrainian defensive line breached by Russian flanking maneuver near Avdiivka". Euromaidan Press. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  4. ^ Stepanenko, Kateryna; Evans, Angelica; Hird, Karolina; Harward, Christina; Barros, George (18 July 2024). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 18, 2024". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  5. ^ Bailey, Riley; Evans, Angelica; Wolkov, Nicole; Harward, Christina; Barros, George; Gasparyan, Davit (19 July 2024). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 19, 2024". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  6. ^ a b Ulyana Krychkowska; Yevheniia Mazur (26 July 2024). "47th Brigade says Prohres and Vovche "no longer ours". ZSU says fighting continues". Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  7. ^ "Russians occupy Prohres in Donetsk Oblast after 48 hours of fighting". Ukrainska Pravda. 21 July 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  8. ^ a b "A Day After Getting Surrounded Near Prohres, Two Ukrainian Battalions Overruled Their Commander—And Fought Their Way To Safety". Forbes. 25 July 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  9. ^ a b c Ebel, Francesca; Korolchuk, Serhii (27 July 2024). "Russia, adapting tactics, advances in Donetsk and takes more Ukrainian land". Washington Post.
  10. ^ Mappes, Grace; Wolkov, Nicole; Hird, Karolina; Stepanenko, Kateryna; Barros, George; Bailey, Riley (16 July 2024). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 16, 2024". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  11. ^ "The enemy advanced in New York, Lozuvatske, Novoselivka Persha and near Progress. The enemy was pushed back in the area of Zavodska Avenue in city New York". DeepSateMap.Live. 16 July 2024.
  12. ^ "The fall of Prohres: A new Russian breakthrough threatens Ukraine's supply lines at the most vulnerable part of the front". Meduza. 26 July 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  13. ^ "A Ukrainian Brigade Collapsed—And Now Hundreds Of Soldiers Are Surrounded Near Prohres". Forbes. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  14. ^ "Due battaglioni ucraini accerchiati a Prohres - Ascolta". Adnkronos (in Italian). 25 July 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  15. ^ "The enemy advanced near Prohres, Lysychne, Vesele, Zhelanne and Panteleimonivka. Fighting continues in Zaliznychne and near Ivano-Daryivka". DeepStateMap.Live. 25 July 2024.
  16. ^ Bailey, Riley; Mappes, Grace; Evans, Angelica; Harward, Christina; Barros, George; Gasparyan, Davit (26 July 2024). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 26, 2024". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  17. ^ a b "Russia reportedly captures Vovche, Ukrainian military doesn't confirm yet". Kyiv Independent. 27 July 2024.
  18. ^ "The Enemy Captured Vovche and Moved in Other Directions - Deep State". Ukrainian News Agency. 27 July 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  19. ^ Mappes, Grace; Wolkov, Nicole; Hird, Karolina; Harward, Christina; Kagan, Frederick W.; Gasparyan, Davit (29 July 2024). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 29, 2024". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 29 July 2024. Geolocated footage published on July 29 shows that Russian forces hold positions in western Novoselivka Persha (northwest of Avdiivka), confirming that Russian forces recently seized the entire settlement [...] Elements of the Russian 433rd Motorized Rifle Regiment (27th Motorized Rifle Division, 2nd Combined Arms Army [CAA], Central Military District [CMD]) reportedly recently seized Yevhenivka (northwest of Avdiivka).
  20. ^ "Pokrovsk situation 'tense and difficult,' Ukrainian military says". Kyiv Independent. 24 July 2024.
  21. ^ a b "The enemy occupied Vesele and advanced near Lysychne, Ivanivka, Serhiyivka and Zhelanne". DeepStateMap.Live. 1 August 2024.
  22. ^ Wolkov, Nicole; Gasparyan, Davit; Bailey, Riley; Hird, Karolina; Kagan, Frederick W. (4 August 2024). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 4, 2024". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 5 August 2024. Geolocated footage published on August 4 indicates that Russian forces recently advanced further within Vesele (east of Pokrovsk) and have seized most of the settlement [...] Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces [...] advanced further within Ivanivka (east of Pokrovsk).
  23. ^ a b "Battle of Western gates of Donbas: Life in frontline city of Pokrovsk". RBC-Ukraine. 2 August 2024.
  24. ^ Denisova, Kateryna (1 August 2024). "Ukraine war latest: Pokrovsk is Russia's main target after Kharkiv push failed, Zelensky says". Kyiv Independent.
  25. ^ "The enemy captured Serhiivka and advanced near Pereyizne, Vodyane, Novoselivka Persha, Tymofiyivka, Lysychne, Hrodivka, Novozhelanne, in Zhelanne and Ivanivka. The Ukrainian Defense Forces pushed back the enemy in New York". DeepStateMap.Live. 7 August 2024.
  26. ^ "Pokrovsk is now 16 km from front line, UK Defense Ministry says". The Kyiv Independent. August 9, 2024.
  27. ^ "Russia steps up assaults on Pokrovsk front in Ukraine's east". Reuters. 13 August 2024.
  28. ^ a b Melkozerova, Veronika. "As Kyiv makes gains in Kursk, Russia strikes back in Donetsk". Politico.
  29. ^ "The enemy occupied Lysychne, Ivanivka, Svyrydonivka and advanced in Hrodivka, Kostiantynivka, Nevelske, near Serhiyivka, Pishchane and Novotoretske. The enemy was pushed back near Stelmakhivka". DeepStateMap.Live. 13 August 2024.
  30. ^ "Russia says captured village close to key hub in east Ukraine".
  31. ^ a b Zakharchenko, Kateryna (13 August 2024). "All Eyes on Kursk, But Donetsk in Trouble – Special Forces Source Says". Kyiv Post.
  32. ^ "The enemy occupied Zhelanne and Orlivka, and advanced in New York, Mykolaivka, Zhuravka and Krasnohorivka". DeepStateMap.Live. 14 August 2024.
  33. ^ "Krasnoarmeysk will be here soon: the Ukrainian Armed Forces are preparing for the defense of Pokrovsk, pulling up reserves". EADaily. August 15, 2024.
  34. ^ Williams, Nathan; Abdulla, Sophie (15 August 2024). "Ukrainian residents urged to evacuate eastern town as Russia closes in". BBC News.
  35. ^ Kullab, Samya; Arhirova, Hanna (15 August 2024). "Zelenskyy says Ukrainian troops have taken full control of the Russian town of Sudzha". The Washington Post.
  36. ^ Kostenko, Maria; Danaher, Caitlin; Tanno, Sophie (15 August 2024). "Ukraine captures town of Sudzha in Russia's Kursk region as it says advance continues". CNN.
  37. ^ "Russian forces press forward to strategic Ukrainian city that serves as important supply route". NBC News. 29 July 2024.
  38. ^ Harmash, Olena (22 July 2024). "Russian troops mount pressure on Ukrainian logistics hub of Pokrovsk". Reuters.
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