Ukraine Deploys Special Forces in Pokrovsk Amid Ongoing Russian Assault
In a bid to counter an intense Russian assault, Ukraine has deployed special forces to the city of Pokrovsk, which lies on a major supply route for the Ukrainian army. According to Kyiv's top commander, Oleksandr Syrsky, "a comprehensive operation to destroy and displace enemy forces from Pokrovsk is underway."
The deployment comes as Moscow tightens its grip on the city, with hundreds of Russian soldiers infiltrating the logistics hub and thousands of troops closing in on its outskirts. If captured, Pokrovsk would provide a significant propaganda boost for the Kremlin.
Syrsky denied reports that Moscow had encircled the city, saying there was "no blockade." However, he acknowledged that Pokrovsk is under pressure from an "enemy group thousands strong."
Special forces, which are trained to carry out covert operations through unconventional warfare such as sabotage and diversion, have been deployed to the area. The Russian army has been grinding forward on the front line for over a year in costly, metre-for-metre battles that Kyiv and its allies say have little strategic value.
The city of Pokrovsk, home to 60,000 people before the war, is now a largely deserted wasteland devastated by fighting. Moscow's actions have resulted in tens of thousands of civilians and military personnel killed since the invasion began, while millions of Ukrainians have been forced to leave their homes.
Russia has continued its wave of deadly drone and missile attacks on Ukraine, firing 270 missiles over October, up 46 percent on the previous month, according to an AFP analysis. The strikes have targeted Ukraine's fragile energy grid for the fourth winter running, cutting power to hundreds of thousands of people.
The escalation in violence comes as Kyiv and its European allies say that Russia is engaged in a deliberate and cynical strategy to wear down Ukraine's civilian population.
In a bid to counter an intense Russian assault, Ukraine has deployed special forces to the city of Pokrovsk, which lies on a major supply route for the Ukrainian army. According to Kyiv's top commander, Oleksandr Syrsky, "a comprehensive operation to destroy and displace enemy forces from Pokrovsk is underway."
The deployment comes as Moscow tightens its grip on the city, with hundreds of Russian soldiers infiltrating the logistics hub and thousands of troops closing in on its outskirts. If captured, Pokrovsk would provide a significant propaganda boost for the Kremlin.
Syrsky denied reports that Moscow had encircled the city, saying there was "no blockade." However, he acknowledged that Pokrovsk is under pressure from an "enemy group thousands strong."
Special forces, which are trained to carry out covert operations through unconventional warfare such as sabotage and diversion, have been deployed to the area. The Russian army has been grinding forward on the front line for over a year in costly, metre-for-metre battles that Kyiv and its allies say have little strategic value.
The city of Pokrovsk, home to 60,000 people before the war, is now a largely deserted wasteland devastated by fighting. Moscow's actions have resulted in tens of thousands of civilians and military personnel killed since the invasion began, while millions of Ukrainians have been forced to leave their homes.
Russia has continued its wave of deadly drone and missile attacks on Ukraine, firing 270 missiles over October, up 46 percent on the previous month, according to an AFP analysis. The strikes have targeted Ukraine's fragile energy grid for the fourth winter running, cutting power to hundreds of thousands of people.
The escalation in violence comes as Kyiv and its European allies say that Russia is engaged in a deliberate and cynical strategy to wear down Ukraine's civilian population.
so dey deploy special forces 2 pokrovsk n now wut's it gonna b? 
russia keep tryna destroy dat city n ukraine just can't take it 
the way Russia be firin missiles n drones, it's like dey want 2 make sum kinda drama outta dis 
meanwhile ppl r losin ther homes n lives 
i think its kinda messed up how russia got away wit so many civilian casualties 
I mean come on, 270 missiles?! That's just crazy! Russia needs to stop playing chicken with Ukraine's energy grid already 
. It's like they think civilians are some kind of chess pieces or something? Newsflash: people's lives aren't pawns in a war game 
. And what's up with the propaganda angle, Moscow always trying to spin this as if they're just "defending" themselves? Meanwhile, thousands of innocent civilians are dying and millions more displaced... it's just so messed up 
. Can we please get some real action from the international community on this?