Russia builds 'kill zone' around Pokrovsk - Sky News
Illustrative photo: Russia creates a “kill zone” around Pokrovsk (GettyImages)
The situation in eastern Ukraine remains extremely tense: fighting is intensifying in the Pokrovsk and Kupiansk areas, while Russian forces are changing tactics, attempting to encircle strategic cities, Sky News reports.
Ukrainian forces have been holding Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region for over a year, but the situation around the city is rapidly deteriorating. The Russian army has created a so-called “kill zone” with drones and has effectively cut off main supply routes.
Dr Marina Miron, Expert at the defence studies department at King's College London, noted that Moscow avoids a direct assault, as it would require enormous manpower.
“They (Russians - ed.) are trying to push Ukrainians out by gradually encircling Pokrovsk,” the expert explained.
Before the full-scale war, Pokrovsk had about 60,000 residents. The city is an important road and railway hub and is considered a kind of “gateway to Donetsk.”
Losing Pokrovsk could put Kramatorsk and Sloviansk at risk, as they remain key strongholds of Ukrainian defense.
Russia’s tactics: from assaults to encirclement
According to experts, Russian forces have abandoned large-scale attacks that led to massive losses and switched to gradual encirclement operations. A similar tactic was previously used during the battle for Bakhmut.
Escalation in Kharkiv region
At the same time, fierce fighting continues in the Kupiansk area, an important transport hub in the Kharkiv region. According to the Institute for the Study of War, Russian forces are attempting to put pressure on Ukrainian defenses.
Ukrainian troops reported that the enemy is moving forces through a pipeline, but the exit from it is controlled by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The General Staff noted that search-and-strike and counter-sabotage operations continue in the city.
Dr Miron suggested that the attacks near Kupiansk could be both an attempt to regain lost territory and a way to create leverage for political bargaining in possible negotiations.
Meanwhile, India’s purchases of Russian oil, as experts note, are effectively helping to finance the Kremlin’s war effort against Ukraine. Thus, New Delhi indirectly supports the functioning of Russia’s war machine.
Earlier, US Senator Lindsey Graham stated that an upcoming trilateral meeting could bring the end of the war in Ukraine closer, possibly by Christmas. At the same time, he stressed that if negotiations do not take place, the US will be ready to increase pressure both on Russia and on other states.
