Russian Army Begins Neutralizing Thousands Of Ukrainian Troops In Pokrovsk (Videos)

File image.

On October 28, the Russian military began neutralizing Ukrainian troops trapped inside the key city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk direction.

The Russian Ministry of Defense said in a brief statement that the Tsentr [Center] Group of Forces, specifically the 2nd Guards Combined Arms Army, are working to clear urban areas to the south of a railway, as well as near a railway station, in the central and southern part of Pokrovsk.

In the same statement, the ministry confirmed that the subdistrict of Troyanda to the south of the city had been completely “mopped up” from Kiev forces.

The ministry’s announcement was not surprising. In fact, more recent reports indicate that the Tsentr Group of Forces has already broken through Ukrainian defenses in some areas in the northern part of Pokrovsk.

In Myrnohrad, to the east of Pokrovsk, Ukrainian defenses are also reported to be collapsing. A similar situation has been developing to the south of the city.

Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov informed President Vladimir Putin during a meeting earlier in the week that up to 31 Ukrainian battalions had been besieged by the Tsentr Group of Forces close to Pokrovsk. Separate media reports indicate that as many as 5,500 Ukrainian troops may be trapped inside the city itself.

Putin urged his generals during the meeting to prevent Ukrainian forces from breaking the encirclement but stressed the need to minimize losses, noting that the Russian military has “always shown clemency” toward its enemies in accordance with international law.

“To avoid unnecessary casualties, I ask you, as we did in the past, to take all necessary measures to ensure the surrender of Ukrainian soldiers…those who wish to do so,” he said during the meeting which took place on October 26.

He also accused Kiev of firing on its own soldiers who attempted to surrender and reiterated that Moscow’s operations would not be bound by deadlines.

“We will not be guided by any specific date or event,” Putin said. “We will proceed according to military necessity and prioritize the safety of our men.”

The latest announcement by the Russian MoD came after Ukraine doubled down on its bid to hold onto Pokrovsk by announcing sending more reinforcements to the city.

“There is fierce fighting in the city and on the approaches to the city… Logistics are difficult,” President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on October 26.

While Zelenskiy described the logistical situation of his forces in Pokrovsk as “difficult,” the situation is in fact nothing short of catastrophic. All key roads leading to the city have been cut by the Russian military, and recent reports indicate that supplies are now being delivered on foot as Ukrainian military vehicles can no longer approach the city due to the threat of drones.

Many Ukrainian troops are surrendering to the Russian military, especially in areas close to Pokrovsk, where blocking detachments are not deployed.

Overall, Ukrainian defenses are collapsing inside and around Pokrovsk. Kiev’s attempts to hold onto the city will fail. These desperate attempts will also lead to more casualties in the ranks of Kiev forces, and could weaken other fronts where the Russian military is advancing.

Zelenskiy’s decision to keep fighting in the city has no military strategic basis. It is solely based on the desire to maintain a certain image in mainstream media, in order to elicit more support from the West.

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