Russian forces are advancing rapidly in the Donbass, approaching strategically important Pokrovsk. At the same time, Russia claims that four US Patriot anti-aircraft systems have been destroyed, which could be a major blow to Ukraine’s defenses.
In response to the developments, Ukraine has carried out a reorganization in its military command to face the threat.
– Yelizavetivka, Veselyi Hai, Hannivka, Trudove and Uspenivka have fallen, sources reported over the weekend.
Kurakhove, south of the strategic logistics hub of Pokrovsk, is said to be about to fall. Russian forces are said to control 90% of the city’s civilian buildings.
Ukrainian counter-offensives from villages such as Pishchane have so far failed to halt the Russian advance. Russian forces have also raised their flag in Hannivka and taken control of the community of Pushkine, north of Pokrovsk.
At the same time, Russia is strengthening its positions on the Oskil River and expanding its bridgehead towards Dvorichna. These advances represent the fastest Russian advance since the start of the war in February 2022.
Due to reporting restrictions on both sides, it is difficult to verify the data from the Ukrainian battlefields.
#UkraineRussiaWar
* The defense in the direction of Uspenivka has completely collapsed. ⚠️ The Russians were able to bring several square kilometers under their control. There are also said to be Ukrainian soldiers still in the encirclement who have not managed to escape… pic.twitter.com/W3heWCcDiH— Military Summary (@MilitarySummary) December 14, 2024
Pokrovsk – a frontline city
Russian forces are closing in on Pokrovsk, a strategically important city in eastern Ukraine. According to pro-Russian war bloggers, advanced special forces have already reached the city’s area, which is a major hub for both road and rail transportation, Reuters reports.
Pokrovsk, one of the country’s main suppliers of coke to Ukraine’s steel industry, still has around 11,000 civilians living under constant shelling. All critical infrastructure – electricity, water and gas – is destroyed, according to Ukrainian authorities.
Military analysts warn that a fall of Pokrovsk would be a significant setback for Kiev and potentially move the conflict closer to central Ukraine, further complicating the country’s defense.
According to Moscow’s Defense Ministry, in the past month Russian forces have seized over 300 square kilometers of territory in eastern Ukraine.
North Koreans in combat?
The Russian advances threaten to impair Ukrainian forces’ access to key transportation routes in the area. If Pokrovsk falls, Russia could gain a strategic advantage and advance more easily towards Chasiv Yar, which is on higher ground and provides control over a larger area.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, at least 30 North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia have been killed or injured in the Kursk region of western Russia. There, Ukrainian forces are desperately trying to maintain a foothold under heavy pressure.
This is the first time Kiev has given such a detailed report on North Korean losses since Pyongyang began sending soldiers to support Moscow.
👀 The North Korean units have withdrawn to be manned due to significant losses at the front.
On December 14 and 15, the North Korean units attempted to storm the positions of Ukrainian defenders.#NorthKorea #Russia #UkraineRussiaWarhttps://t.co/Gjsbv8MHKZ
— Militarnyi (@militarnyi) December 16, 2024
Russian reports: Patriot systems destroyed
Ukraine’s defense leadership has responded to recent developments by replacing General Oleksandr Lutsenko with General Oleksandr Tarnavskiy as commander of the operational and tactical command in Donetsk.
Lutsenko has long been criticized by Ukrainian military bloggers and politicians for his failure to stop the advance of Russian forces.
Meanwhile, Moscow claims that Russian air forces and artillery groups have destroyed four US Patriot air defense systems, including a combat command vehicle, an AN/MPQ-65 radar station and four firing platforms. The data is reported by the Russian state channel RT, among others.
The war has been further intensified by Ukraine’s use of US ATACMS missiles against Russian targets, which the Biden administration authorized last month.
