On Jan. 20, Pokrovsk endured a massive strike in the city center. The attack sparked fires from the third to the ninth floors of two sections of a nine-story residential building. The fire was contained to an area of 1,000 square meters, but due to the threat of further attacks and active enemy aircraft, firefighting efforts had to be halted.
The city also suffered another shelling on Dec. 22, which resulted in a private home and a car catching fire.
NV has released a photo report from Pokrovsk.
What we know about the situation in Pokrovsk
On Jan. 10, the head of Pokrovsk's military administration, Serhiy Dobryak, stated that the front line is just a few kilometers from Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. Almost all critical infrastructure in the city has been destroyed.
On Jan. 12, military officials reported that the occupiers have changed their tactics in the Pokrovsk direction and are attempting to bypass the city from the south to the west to reach the Dnipropetrovsk region. Viktor Trehubov, a spokesperson for the Khortytsia Operational and Strategic Group, confirmed that the invaders aim to bypass Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad from the south.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on Jan. 14 that Russian forces have cut off several routes to the southwest and east of Pokrovsk, likely in an attempt to encircle Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, disrupt the logistics of Ukraine’s Defense Forces, and force them to withdraw without fighting.
On Jan. 16, it was reported that miners in Pokrovsk blew up the mine shaft to prevent Russian forces from accessing underground tunnels. This mine is the only one in Ukraine that produces coking coal, which is vital for the steel industry.
On Jan. 17, MP Maryana Bezuhla claimed that "the Russians have entered Pokrovsk." However, the Khortytsia Operational and Strategic Group refuted this statement, noting that battles are ongoing on the outskirts of the city.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, stated that the Defense Forces are making every effort to protect Pokrovsk.