Domitilla Sagromoso

Inserted 2 weeks ago

“A Russian takeover of Pokrovsk in Donetsk would be significant for Moscow's advances in the eastern region of Ukraine because the city is a communications hub. There have been important centres and strongholds of Ukraine armed forces there, especially in Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, since 2014. If Russian troops seize the area, they can take control of the whole of the Donetsk region, setting themselves up to challenge Ukrainian cities and villages farther west. Ukraine's incursion into Russia has boosted morale among its armed forces. This will also have an impact on how Russia decides to organise its defences. Moscow is currently not diverting massive forces from Donetsk but it cannot ignore these advances into Kursk for too long.”

Aje

Senior lecturer in conflict and security at Kings College London