POKROVSK, Ukraine – A Russian artillery strike killed one person in the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk on Sunday, as Moscow’s military pressed closer to the strategic logistics hub, local authorities reported.
The attack, which occurred around 11 a.m. local time, targeted the western part of the city, according to the Pokrovsk military administration.
“Unfortunately, one person died,” the administration said in a statement released on Telegram. No further information about the victim was immediately available.
Earlier in the day, Russian forces reportedly shelled a building near a petrol station in Pokrovsk, but the extent of the damage has yet to be confirmed by local officials.
This is the latest in a series of attacks on the city, which lies at the heart of Ukraine’s eastern defense line and has long been a target for Russian forces.
Pokrovsk, positioned at the crossroads of vital road and rail routes supplying Ukrainian troops across the eastern front, is seen as a key logistical hub for both sides in the ongoing conflict. Moscow’s troops have been advancing toward the city for months, coming within 10 kilometers (six miles) of its eastern outskirts, local authorities reported.
The military administration emphasized that Russian strikes in recent weeks have not only caused casualties but also severely disrupted civilian life.
Over 20,000 people have fled the city since August, while repeated shelling over the past two weeks has cut off water and electricity supplies to many of those who remain.
Strategic Importance of Pokrovsk
As a significant transportation hub, Pokrovsk’s capture would be a major gain for Russian forces, allowing them to disrupt Ukrainian supply lines across the Donetsk region.
The city connects several rail and road networks that are critical to supplying Ukrainian troops stationed along the eastern front, as well as towns further behind the lines.
The ongoing battle for control of eastern Ukraine has focused heavily on key cities like Pokrovsk, which have been subjected to relentless artillery and missile strikes.
Russian forces are determined to break through Ukrainian defenses, while Ukrainian troops continue to resist despite heavy casualties and damaged infrastructure.
Civilians in the Crossfire
For the residents who have stayed behind, life in Pokrovsk has become increasingly perilous. Russian strikes earlier this week damaged two overpasses, including one connecting Pokrovsk to the nearby town of Myrnograd, local media reported.
Such attacks have further isolated the remaining population, cutting off crucial supply lines and leaving some areas inaccessible to aid workers.
With essential services disrupted and daily life becoming harder to sustain, the situation for civilians is deteriorating rapidly.
The lack of water and electricity, combined with the threat of further Russian advances, has prompted warnings from humanitarian organizations about an impending crisis for those who cannot flee.
Despite these hardships, many residents are reluctant to leave their homes.
Local authorities have urged them to evacuate for their safety but acknowledge that moving to safer regions presents its own challenges, with overcrowded shelters and logistical difficulties hindering relocation efforts.
As the Russian military inches closer to Pokrovsk, the city’s fate hangs in the balance, with both sides preparing for what could be a decisive confrontation in the ongoing conflict.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members