Battle of Pokrovsk: Russia’s Advances and Growing War Crime Allegations

What You Need to Know: Russian forces are intensifying their advance towards Ukraine’s strategic city of Pokrovsk, with the aim of capturing the city before winter conditions strengthen the defenses. British Military Intelligence reported that Russia was violating its advance as fighting continued near the coal town of Selydove, just 13 kilometers from Pokrovsk.

The attack raised concerns of significant war crimes, as Ukrainian authorities recently investigated the execution of four prisoners of war by Russian forces near Selydove.

-The alleged violations include systematic abuses and disregard for the laws of armed conflict, for which the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office is leading investigations. The siege of Pokrovsk remains a critical phase in the Donbas conflict.

Pokrovsk Under Siege: Russian Forces Pushing On Key Ukrainian Town

Russian forces are making progress towards a strategic Ukrainian town. ukrainian army he offers fierce resistance but also compromises. Meanwhile, there are increasing examples of Russian troops executing prisoners of war.

Battle of Pokrovsk

“Russian Land Forces (RLF) are almost certain to be advancing from the major logistics hub of Pokrovsk towards the coal mining town of Selydove, located approximately thirteen kilometers to the southeast,” British Military Intelligence said in a recent estimate of the conflict.

Pokrovsk remains the final target Russian army. Pokrovsk, which is an important logistics center for Donbas, is also important for the Ukrainian defense line in this part of the line of contact.

Russian forces They are trying to approach Pokrovsk from many directions and are threatening to encircle the town.

“Conflicts continue in the town and possibly in the city centre. British Military Intelligence added that Selydove was the last significant urban area to cover the southern flank of Pokrovsk and the E50 highway connecting Selydove to Pokrovsk.”

“Since the beginning of October 2024, the rate of RLF advance towards Pokrovsk has slowed significantly, with the RLF remaining within approximately seven kilometers, or 4.3 miles, of the city,” British Military Intelligence said.

Russian high command He focuses resources and men on Pokrovsk, “freezing” the battlefield and assisting in defensive action, with the aim of capturing the town before the onset of winter.

“The RLC has recently diverted its resources to the southern part of the axis, targeting Selydove and partially encircling the town. Russia “British Military Intelligence probably intends to use the E50 motorway as a secondary route to advance to Pokrovsk if Selydove is taken,” he concluded.

War Crimes

If Russian method of warfare One thing we are taught in Ukraine is that where there is intense conflict, war crimes often occur. The conflicts around Selydove and Pokrovsk are no exception.

“Ukrainian authorities are investigating the execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) by Russian forces in the Pokrovsk direction, against the background of increasingly frequent executions of prisoners of war by Russian forces,” the Institute for the Study of War said. evaluated in its latest operational update on the conflict.

Although both parties have probably committed war crimes in the heat of battle, Russian forces They systematically evaded the rules of warfare on a large scale. The lack of discipline in Russian forces and the poor quality of troops make it easier for war crimes to be committed.

The Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine has launched an investigation into allegations of execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war by retreating Russian troops near Selydove. on October 7 Ukrainian troops He recaptured positions near the town and found four Ukrainian soldiers executed. Russian forces first interrogated four Ukrainian soldiers before executing them, in clear violation of the laws of armed conflict.

Russian army He condoned and even encouraged war crimes against Ukrainian soldiers and civilians.

About the Author

Stavros Atlamazoğlu He is an experienced defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Greek Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army Headquarters). He holds a bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University and a master’s degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His works were exhibited Business Content, sandboxxAnd SOFREP.

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