Translated with AI
Russia has deployed approximately 100,000 troops to the front line near Pokrovsk, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to Bloomberg.
According to agency sources familiar with the situation, the issue of increasing Russian forces in this area was discussed last week by German and French officials during negotiations to resolve the conflict.
Pokrovsk, located in the Donetsk region, is a major transportation hub through which, according to Kyiv, supplies Ukrainian army units in the region are supplied. Taking the city, it is noted, could open the way for Russian troops to Slovyansk and Kramatorsk.
In August and September of last year, Russian units approached Pokrovsk to within 8-10 kilometers but failed to take it. This year, Kyiv claims Moscow is attempting to encircle the city. In mid-August, Russian forces were reported to have advanced approximately 10 kilometers north of Pokrovsk near Dobropillya, but the Ukrainian army eliminated this breach.
According to Bloomberg, between May and August of this year, the Russian army established control over an area of 2,033 square kilometers, which is approximately 0.3% of Ukraine's territory.
Meanwhile, with no sign of an end to the conflict, Ukraine and its Western allies have stepped up efforts to strengthen their armed forces. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called support for Kyiv "the main guarantee of security," while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that Ukraine must become "a steel porcupine, indigestible to potential invaders."
According to Ukrainian authorities, monthly arms purchases, primarily American-made, could amount to approximately $1 billion. Last week, the US approved the sale of 3,350 missiles with a strike range of up to 450 km to Kyiv for $825 million. Furthermore, Ukraine is working on developing new weapons, including the Flamingo cruise missile with a range of up to 3,000 km and the use of artificial intelligence systems to organize massive drone attacks.
