Russia has concentrated half a million troops on the Pokrovsk direction: why this is a key section of the front.

Situation in Eastern Ukraine

According to FREEДOM: Currently, the main attack of the Russian army in Eastern Ukraine is focused on the front line from Chasiv Yar in the north to Pokrovsk in the south. Approximately half of the Russian military is concentrated here, forcing the Ukrainian command to regroup its forces for defense. This could affect not only the military situation but also the political developments. Security expert Pavlo Lakiychuk discussed this on the FREEДOM channel.

“The further course of hostilities in the medium term will obviously depend on what happens around Pokrovsk on the Kostiantynivka direction,” noted the speaker.

The expert emphasized that the Russians were successful in breaking through the defense north of Pokrovsk in mid-August. This situation forced the Ukrainian command to regroup its forces to stabilize the situation on the front.

“The Russians managed to break through our defenses, no matter how you call it, whether ‘saturation’ or ‘pressure’; they breached the defense. Their task from the very first days has been to consolidate their positions. From a significant part of these positions, they managed to be pushed back, but partially they managed to establish themselves. This means reserves are being pulled up — forces are already accumulating. Will they be able to develop their success? Maybe not, but this Russian operation has allowed them to divert our forces' attention from their offensive in the northeast of Pokrovsk, where they are trying to create a ‘pocket’,” commented Lakiychuk.

Currently, Russian forces in the southwest of Pokrovsk are regrouping, awaiting results from Ukrainian forces in the north and northeast of the city. If Ukrainian troops fail to repel attacks, the city of Pokrovsk might be besieged.

“This is a starting point not even for an assault on Pokrovsk, but for an attempt to encircle the Ukrainian grouping in the city, creating what is known as a 'pocket'. This may also be done for a political purpose: Putin might use success to showcase a 'new Debaltseve' in negotiations to promote the idea of 'Minsk-3' or try to impose Ukraine’s capitulation. However, both sides are involved in this game, and we are far from creating a 'cauldron'. I am confident that the Ukrainian command will make every effort to neutralize the threat. It will be difficult, but the Defense Forces of Ukraine have the necessary resources and capabilities,” stated the military expert.

Overall, the situation in Eastern Ukraine remains tense, and each subsequent step of the Ukrainian forces could determine future events at both military and political levels. Russian forces are actively regrouping, while the Ukrainian command is trying to prevent a possible encirclement of Pokrovsk.