Ukrainian local authorities in the eastern city of Pokrovsk issued a mandatory evacuation order for families with children on Monday. The order comes as Russian forces continue their relentless push towards the city, prompting officials to warn that time is running out for residents to leave safely.
Russian troops have been steadily advancing towards Pokrovsk for months, steadily chipping away at Ukrainian defenses. Recent reports indicate that Russian forces are just 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the city’s outskirts, forcing officials to issue a stark warning. They emphasize that the situation is urgent, and residents have only two weeks to evacuate before the window for a safe departure closes.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently stated that Pokrovsk and surrounding towns in the Donetsk region are facing the most intense Russian assaults of the war. This year, Russia has been engaged in a slow and costly advance through Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, resulting in significant losses of troops and armor. Despite the heavy toll, Russian forces have made notable gains, steadily encroaching on Ukrainian positions.
Pokrovsk, with a pre-war population of approximately 60,000, holds significant strategic value for Ukraine. It serves as a critical defensive stronghold and logistics hub for the Donetsk region. If captured by Russian forces, Pokrovsk would severely cripple Ukraine’s defensive capabilities and supply lines, bringing Russia closer to its stated objective of capturing the entire Donetsk region.
Local authorities in Pokrovsk are actively engaging with residents, providing them with detailed logistical information about the evacuation process. Evacuees are being offered shelter in western Ukraine, where they will be housed in prepared dormitories and separate houses. This organized effort aims to ensure the safety and well-being of those fleeing the advancing Russian forces.
