Russia seeks to capture Pokrovsk to intensify campaign to occupy Chasiv Yar - Reuters
Russian invaders are approaching the strategically important city of Pokrovsk after capturing a number of villages south of it.
This is reported by Reuters, Censor.NET reports.
Pokrovsk is located on a key road used by the Ukrainian military to supply weapons to other eastern positions, including Chasiv Yar and Kostiantynivka.
The Kremlin sees the occupation of Pokrovsk as an important step towards the "incorporation" of the entire region into the Russian Federation, the newspaper writes.
Control of the city, which Russian media call the "gateway to Donetsk," would allow Moscow to seriously disrupt Ukrainian supply lines along the eastern front and intensify its campaign to capture Chasiv Yar, which is located on higher ground, allowing it to potentially control a larger area.
"Restricting the access of the Ukrainian military to the road network in the area will make it difficult for Kyiv troops to hold the territory on both sides of Pokrovsk, which could allow Russia to advance the front line," the article says.