City Evacuated In Ukraine As Russia Makes Gains

Amid ongoing battles in eastern Ukraine, authorities have issued a directive for the evacuation of a significant city in the Donbas region. This comes as Russian forces continue to make progress, outpacing Ukraine’s offensive into Russia’s Kursk region. According to officials, families with children residing in Pokrovsk and nearby areas will be required to relocate. Serhii Dobriak, the city’s military governor, stated that residents must flee within two weeks at most as the Russian advance presses on. As one of Ukraine’s principal defensive posts and a crucial logistical center for Kyiv’s troops on the eastern front, this city holds great strategic significance.

According to the head of Donetsk region, Vadym Filashkin, more than 53,000 individuals, including nearly 4,000 children, are still living in the city.

As a result, authorities have deemed it necessary to forcibly evacuate children and their parents or guardians due to the danger posed by enemy attack. Despite efforts to maintain basic services, they are expected to cease functioning soon as the Russian army approaches.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reported that during their incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, they have gained control of over 1,250 sq km and 92 settlements. He also mentioned that the area opposite Sumy region has been largely cleared of Russian military presence.

This is a significant achievement given that just months ago, many believed it would be impossible and cross Russia’s strictest “red line.”

One of the goals of this incursion is to redirect Russia’s troops away from Donbas region and ease pressure on Ukrainian forces there.

Ukraine has a presence over 800 sq km of Russian territory, but this does not necessarily mean they have control. In contrast, the think tank approximates that Russia acquired around 1,175 sq km between January and July.

According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) think tank, Russia seems determined to implement a strategy of gradual advances in the east. However, Ukraine’s unexpected advancement into Kursk shows that taking the initiative has enabled Kyiv to gain ground instead of gradually losing in a war of attrition.