Russian forces have claimed full control of the town of Novohrodivka in eastern Ukraine, according to an announcement by Russia’s Defense Ministry on Sunday. The capture of the town, located 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, marks another step in Moscow’s push toward the strategically important city of Pokrovsk, a key logistics hub in the region. Russian forces are seeking to break through Ukrainian defensive lines and take full control of the Donbas region, which has been a focal point of the conflict.
Russian Infantry seems to have already advanced into the Center of Novohrodivka, Pokrovsk Axis.
The video shows them taking a Ukrainian MBT out of action with an RPG. A crew member can be seen leaving the Vehicle.
This means Russia already surpassed the Ukrainian Defensive Line https://t.co/s555dWYp52 pic.twitter.com/XyduimAR8K
— WarVehicleTracker🇵🇱 (@WarVehicle) August 23, 2024
Novohrodivka, which had a pre-war population of around 14,000, fell after months of heavy fighting. Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated his aim to capture the entirety of Donbas, a region critical to Russia’s military objectives in Ukraine. The Russian army has been advancing steadily in the area, despite counterattacks from Ukrainian forces aimed at slowing their progress.
Pokrovsk, located in the highlands, plays a crucial role as a rail and road hub for Ukrainian military operations in the region. Its capture would significantly weaken Ukraine’s logistical and defensive capabilities in Donetsk. As Russian troops close in on the city, the situation has become increasingly tense, with Ukraine’s General Staff reporting intense fighting around several towns, including Novohrodivka, and stating that Russian forces had conducted 23 assaults on Ukrainian positions in the sector.
Despite Russian gains, Ukrainian forces have launched counterattacks aimed at holding the line around Pokrovsk. Reinforcements, including units from the Kara-Dag Brigade and the 12th Azov Brigade, have been deployed in the area to bolster defenses. Ukrainian military analysts noted that these efforts have slowed Russian advances in some areas, particularly around Selydove, another critical town southeast of Pokrovsk.
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