Russia claimed to have seized a village near Pokrovsk in Ukraine’s Donetsk region as it advanced toward the city. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that its forces had captured Kalynove, a settlement of about 200 people located about 16 miles southeast of Pokrovsk. The control of Pokrovsk would be crucial for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s quest to dominate the region. An evacuation had been declared in Pokrovsk on August 20 due to the critical security situation, with a prewar population of 60,000, but evacuation trains were halted, leaving around 26,000 people, including 1,076 children, stranded in the dangerous area.
The war’s front line approaching Pokrovsk has forced the last civilian hospital in the city to relocate, disrupting urgent care for war-wounded patients. Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) reported that their staff, medical equipment, and supplies had to be moved to safer locations, with ambulances still operating in the city and surrounding areas. The ongoing conflict has led to the destruction or damage of medical facilities located within 20 miles of conflict areas in eastern and southern Ukraine due to Russian shelling. Ukrainian forces were reported to have regained some limited positions in the Pokrovsk direction, while Russian forces had advanced in the nearby city of Toretsk, according to the Institute for the Study of War and independent reports.
Despite Russia’s claims of capturing territory near Pokrovsk, various sources indicated a slower pace of advancement over the past week compared to previous periods. The independent Russian outlet Agentstvo stated that Russian troops had seized much less territory in the Pokrovsk direction recently. Ukraine’s commander in chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, mentioned that Moscow’s push near the city appeared to be losing momentum. Ukrainian open-source intelligence-monitoring site DeepState reported that Russian forces had only captured 4 square miles in the past week, a significant decrease from the previous weeks where larger areas were reportedly seized.
The situation in Pokrovsk remains precarious as the conflict intensifies and Russian forces make gains in the region. The Russian claim of capturing Kalynove raises concerns about the safety of civilians trapped in the city and surrounding areas with limited access to essential services. The evacuation halt has left thousands of people, including children, at risk in the conflict zone, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. As medical facilities struggle to operate amid the ongoing violence, there are growing challenges in providing healthcare to those in need, further highlighting the impact of the conflict on the civilian population.
It is essential for international organizations and governments to address the escalating crisis in Pokrovsk and take immediate action to protect civilians and provide necessary assistance. The conflict in Ukraine’s Donetsk region continues to escalate, with the front line moving closer to populated areas, posing a threat to the safety and well-being of the local population. The need for humanitarian aid, medical support, and evacuation measures is urgent as the situation deteriorates, underscoring the importance of international cooperation and intervention to mitigate the impact of the conflict on civilians in the region.
