Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he visited troops near the city of Pokrovsk, where the most fierce front-line battle between Russia and Ukraine is currently taking place.
Zelenskyy posted photos showing him meeting with personnel at a command post in the Dobropillya sector, about 20 kilometers north of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region.
Apparently, the tension there is palpable. While the president inspects the positions, the rumble of artillery fire can be heard in the distance, reminding of the constant presence of war in this area. The soldiers seem focused, but also find time to exchange a few words with the president.
On Monday, Kyiv's top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, stated that Ukraine is increasing pressure on the front in Dobropillya to "force the enemy to disperse its forces and make it impossible to concentrate its main efforts in the Pokrovsk area". This statement comes at a time when the intensity of the fighting in the area shows no signs of decreasing.
Russia has been trying to capture Pokrovsk – a strategic front-line city and logistics center – for more than a year. Apparently, the fight for this city is a key part of the wider conflict, and the importance of Pokrovsk cannot be underestimated. Control over it could give Russia a significant advantage.