Pokrovsk… the “Gateway to Donetsk” that Russia is striving to seize

28th October 2024

3 minutes read

Pokrovsk… the "Gateway to Donetsk" that Russia is striving to seize

Only a few kilometers separate Russian forces from controlling the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, which they have been attempting to capture for almost two months.

According to Ukrainian sources quoted by Reuters, Russian forces are making significant advances in several towns in eastern Ukraine, bringing them closer to seizing the strategic city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. According to the group “Deep State,” which maintains close ties with the Ukrainian army and analyzes combat footage on Telegram, “Russian forces are advancing in Selydove.”

Russian forces stormed the coal-mining town of Selydove in Ukraine’s Donetsk region last week, taking control of approximately 80% of it, thus paving the way for the Russian army toward Pokrovsk.

The city of Pokrovsk is a significant turning point in the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, and controlling it could greatly impact the course of events in the region, as it serves as a supply and provisioning center located 20 kilometers to the northwest.

Geographical Location and Importance

Pokrovsk is located in the northeastern part of Russia, in the Donetsk region, surrounded by forests and tundra. It is known for its strategic position on the banks of the Lena River and its proximity to the regional capital, Yakutsk.

Thanks to its unique geographical location, Pokrovsk is a major logistical hub where many roads and railways converge, connecting eastern and central Ukraine. It is near the front lines between Ukrainian and Russian forces, making it a strategic target.

The city is an important administrative and industrial center in the region, known for its mining and extraction industries. Pokrovsk is also known for its harsh continental climate, with long cold winters and short warm summers. The area around the city features flat terrain, with some hills and mountains in the northern parts.

The city is home to a diverse population, including Russians, Yakuts, and other indigenous people, with a local culture that blends Russian traditions with those of the native populations.

Why is Russia seeking to capture it?

The city and its surroundings host Ukrainian military bases, making it a prime military target. By capturing Pokrovsk, Russia could increase pressure on the Ukrainian government.

Pokrovsk is also traversed by vital supply lines for Ukrainian forces operating in the region, making it a key target for cutting supplies to eastern cities still under Ukrainian control, such as Kramatorsk, Kostyantynivka, and Chasiv Yar.

Controlling Pokrovsk would grant the controlling force significant influence in eastern Ukraine. The city could be used as a base to launch attacks on Ukrainian supply lines, weakening their ability to continue fighting.

The capture of a city of this size and importance would deal a strong blow to the Ukrainian government, increasing the pressure on it to accept Russia’s terms.

Ukraine’s attack did not halt the advance

Ukraine launched a surprise military campaign in early August, attacking Russian territory in the Kursk region. Ukraine quickly advanced, capturing several Russian towns, in what was described as the largest attack on Russian soil since World War II.

Ukraine’s objective in attacking Russian territory was to force Moscow to redeploy troops from the front lines in eastern Ukraine, thereby easing fighting near cities like Pokrovsk. However, the Ukrainian army commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, confirmed last week that “Moscow understood the purpose of the Kursk operation and continued to advance toward Pokrovsk.”