Kyiv, Ukraine — On Thursday, Ukrainian authorities announced the suspension of evacuation train services from Pokrovsk, a key city in the eastern Donetsk region, due to heightened security concerns amid ongoing Russian advances. The decision comes as Moscow’s forces edge closer to the city, intensifying fears of a potential attack.
Pokrovsk, a crucial logistics hub for Ukrainian forces, has been under threat from Russian troops advancing steadily over recent months. Russian forces are now reported to be within 10 kilometers (approximately 6 miles) of the city. With the population of Pokrovsk dwindling to around 27,000, officials are urging residents to evacuate as soon as possible.
The Myrnohrad city administration, which oversees the evacuation process, announced the cancellation of the evacuation train service in a social media post on Thursday.
The post explained that “due to a complication of the security situation,” boarding for evacuation trains at Pokrovsk station would no longer be feasible. Instead, evacuees will now need to travel to Pavlohrad, a city located 100 kilometers west of Pokrovsk, near Dnipro, to board evacuation trains.
Ukraine’s state rail operator, Ukrzaliznytsya, has indicated that departure points for special daily evacuation trains will be subject to change due to new “safety protocols.” The operator assured that ordinary train services to and from Pokrovsk will continue as usual, but emphasized the shift in strategy to enhance the safety of evacuation operations.
This precautionary measure reflects the heightened risks associated with large-scale civilian evacuations in conflict zones. The tragic incident at Kramatorsk train station in April 2022, where a Russian strike resulted in the deaths of over 60 civilians and injuries to more than 160 others, remains a stark reminder of the dangers.
The station, crowded with around 4,000 people fleeing the Russian advance, was struck by a Tochka-U missile reportedly armed with cluster munitions.
In light of these risks, Ukrzaliznytsya has urged people to gather at “certain safe points” rather than at train stations and advised those needing to evacuate to contact a local hotline for detailed instructions. This new protocol aims to minimize the risk of large numbers of civilians being targeted in high-risk areas.
According to Donetsk Governor Vadym Filashkin, around 13,000 people have successfully evacuated from Pokrovsk over the past month.
Prior to the Russian invasion in 2022, the city’s population was approximately 60,000. The current situation underscores the escalating intensity of the conflict in the Donetsk region, as Russian forces continue to advance throughout 2024, putting immense pressure on Ukrainian defenses.
The suspension of evacuation train services highlights the increasing challenges faced by Ukrainian authorities in ensuring the safety of civilians amid ongoing hostilities. The conflict in eastern Ukraine has seen significant casualties and displacement, with both military and civilian infrastructure frequently targeted.
As the situation in Pokrovsk remains volatile, the Ukrainian government and humanitarian organizations are working to adapt their strategies to ensure the continued protection and safe evacuation of civilians from conflict zones. The evolving security landscape necessitates flexibility and vigilance to respond effectively to the changing dynamics of the conflict.
For now, the focus remains on providing safe alternatives for those seeking to flee the escalating violence, with continued efforts to secure evacuation routes and protect vulnerable populations from the intensifying conflict.