Ukrainian forces in Pokrovsk are in dire straits. The facts and testimonies come from Ukrainian soldiers and officers who, in various statements to the Associated Press, indicate that there is a severe shortage of infantry troops and supply routes as a result of Russian drone attacks.
Ukrainian troops are losing ground around the main supply hub, which lies at the junction of multiple highways leading to key cities in the eastern Donetsk region, as well as an important railway station, A2 writes.
Moscow is determined to seize as much territory as possible as the Trump administration pushes for negotiations to end the war and recently froze foreign aid to Ukraine, a move that has shocked Ukrainian officials already concerned about the new US president's intentions, most of all.
Ukrainian soldiers in Pokrovsk told the AP that Russian forces have changed tactics in recent weeks, attacking their flanks instead of going head-to-head to form a uniform movement around the city. With the Russians in control of the dominant heights, Ukraine’s supply routes are now within their reach. Heavy fog in recent days has prevented Ukrainian soldiers from using surveillance drones effectively, allowing the Russians to consolidate and take more territory.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian commanders say they do not have enough reserves to support the defense lines and that new infantry units are failing to carry out operations. Many are counting on Mykhailo Drapatyi, a respected commander recently appointed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as chief of ground forces, to shift the dynamic and counterattack.
"Logistics wins the war. If there is no logistics, there is no infantry, because there is no way to supply," said the deputy commander of the "Wolves" battalion of Da Vinci. "(The Russians) have learned this and are doing it quite well."
Ukrainian soldiers in Pokrovsk said combat troop shortages are "catastrophic" and the challenges are compounded by newly formed infantry units that are poorly trained and inexperienced, putting more pressure on battle-hardened brigades that must step in to stabilize the front line.
The Ukrainian deputy commander complained that new recruits "are constantly expanding the front line because they leave their positions, they don't hold them, they don't control them, they don't monitor them. We do almost all the work for them." (A2 Televizion)
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