Russian forces are advancing rapidly toward the Ukrainian town of Pokrovsk, raising alarms among its remaining residents as artillery fire echoes ominously through deserted streets. Barely flinching at the sound of incoming shells, locals like Svitlana, who runs a small grocery store, expressed disbelief at the speed of the Russian advance. "We thought we would be protected. I thought there would be an actual battle to defend Pokrovsk. I did not expect this, I did not expect it," she told reporters from AFP.
The potential fall of Pokrovsk—the key rail and mining hub—would mark one of the most notable setbacks for Ukraine's military amid months of intense warfare. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had already conceded the dire situation as early as July, admitting the army was struggling with manpower and firepower, unable to fend off what has turned out to be Russia’s fastest offensive in more than two years.
Despite initial war aims from Moscow seemingly fading since the invasion’s start in February 2022, the Kremlin’s ambitions to control the wider Donetsk region—and particularly Pokrovsk—remain evident. Over the last few months, journalists have reported on the tangible destruction resulting from Russia’s relentless bombing campaign, noting collapsed bridges and the desolate remnants of buildings.
Residents of Pokrovsk have witnessed drastic changes; once-bustling spots, like the train station where many sought to escape the conflict, now stand abandoned and boarded up. Local banks shuttered operations back in September and with gas supplies cut off only last week, many of the mining facilities integral to Ukraine’s steel production are also closing.
Professors and staff at the local university, previously relocated from Donetsk city after tensions escalated with Kremlin-backed separatists, are now planning another move—this time westward to Lviv. Olga Bogomaz, an associate professor, recounted her devastation when the university building was damaged. "I’ll alwaysrememberthat day. I understood thenthat it was the end," she recalled, reflecting on the loss of history and the hopes she and her colleagues held.
Ukraine's military leadership is aware of the gravity of the situation. Top commander Oleksandr Syrsky characterized the defensive battle for Pokrovsk as "especially fierce," implying urgent calls for unconventional strategies to maintain Ukrainian control.
Despite this, many locals brace for what seems inevitable. A Ukrainian serviceman who commands significant social media presence mentioned, "Everyone has already accepted the (Russians) will enter Pokrovsk." This sentiment is echoed by military personnel on the front lines. A tank operator nicknamed Gypsy expressed concern over the cost of the fight—exceeding numbers of Russian troops killed or wounded each day, yet acknowledging the relentless advance of Russian infantry. "There will be street battles in Pokrovsk soon," Gypsy predicted.
With more than 10,000 civilians still remaining amid the chaos—once-tended by 60,000 before the current crisis—evacuations are becoming necessary. Some old billboards still urge citizens to flee. Recently, 21-year-old Anna and her mother gathered meager belongings, manifesting the stark reality of their impending departure to Kyiv—a destination Anna had never visited and to which she had no ties. The armored van they hoped would take them to safety had previously been targeted during drone strikes, heightening the sense of uncertainty.
Others remain coerced to departure only when absolutely needed. One woman, hunting for drinking water amid the barrage, asked anxiously about opportunities to escape. "Some people leave only at the last possible moment. It’s cold in the apartment. Everything is falling to pieces. It's misery," Anna lamented, yearning for the moment she could return, if the town remains part of Ukraine.
Though the situation appears precarious, the resilience of Pokrovsk residents shines through as they face the reality of military advances and potential street battles looming on their doorstep. With every artillery shell fired, the hopes of those who hold their home dear seem to disintegrate, leaving questions about the future of this once-thriving community.
