Russia is fast pressing ahead with its counter-offensive near the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk even as Ukraine’s offensive in Russia’s Kursk starts losing its pace. Notably, Pokrovsk is an essential reinforcement point for Ukraine’s troops and a Russian invasion of the city may cripple their supplies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky conceded on Wednesday (Aug 28) and said, “The situation is extremely difficult” in Pokrovsk.
BBC quoted Ukrainian military expert Mykhaylo Zhyrokhov as saying, “if we lose Pokrovsk, the entire front line will crumble.”
Moscow looks hell-bent on taking over Pokrovsk and it has already deployed one-third of its Central Army Group, or about 30,000 troops, on the mission.
Not just that, Russian forces are believed to have launched parallel assaults on the town of Selidove, just south of Novohrodivka, and other areas of the Donetsk region nearby.
On Friday (Aug 30), Russian forces rained bombs on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, resulting in the death of at least six civilians, including a child in a playground. This led the authorities to declare a day of mourning on Saturday.
A fresh attack on Saturday (Aug 31) further killed two more people in a village in the Kharkiv region and left at least 10 people injured.
Governor Oleh Synehubov claimed Russian forces hit the village of Cherkaska Lozova with guided bombs. “Two women died,” he said. “One was pulled from the rubble, the other died in an ambulance.”
Meanwhile, Russia also claimed that its Belgorod city was targeted by Ukraine late Friday.
Vyacheslav Gladkov, the local governor, claimed five people were killed and 46 injured in the Ukrainian attack.
Watch: Russia-Ukraine war: Zelensky says there was a need to strengthen command level
“Once again we call on all responsible governments and relevant international structures to strongly condemn this brutal terrorist attack and publicly distance themselves from the Kyiv regime and its Western curators who commit such crimes,” Russia’s foreign ministry said Saturday.
Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos
(With inputs from agencies)