Pokrovsk, situated about 18 kilometres (11 miles) from the boundary of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions, has for months been the area of the fiercest battles in Russia’s 33-month-old full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The famous Ukrainian editor-in-chief of Censor-net Yuriy Butusov speaks about this:
— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) December 12, 2024
"A key, finally good fortified area was built near Pokrovsk, for several tens of millions of hryvnia, but they did not have time to send our soldiers there due to certain inadequate management… pic.twitter.com/rg1m15Aul2
The Ukrainian Army reportedly surrendered a newly built defensive line near Pokrovsk without engaging in combat. This incident came to light through various social media posts on X, where users mentioned that despite constructing a well-fortified position with dugouts and supplies, no soldiers were deployed to man the defenses, leading to its capture by Russian forces without resistance.
Yuriy Butusov, a prominent Ukrainian journalist, highlighted the situation, suggesting a significant oversight or strategic miscalculation by the Ukrainian command instead of blaming it on cowardice, exhaustion, or inexperience from the troops.
These reports indicate potential issues with resource allocation or strategic planning within the Ukrainian military, raising concerns about morale, supply chain management, or command decisions at a critical juncture in the conflict.
The surrender of this defensive line without a fight could impact the broader defensive strategy in the region, potentially affecting the morale and operational capabilities of Ukrainian forces in the ongoing conflict.
While Joe Biden and Anthony Blinken are busily sending billions to Zelensky, both Ukraine and Russia have their eye on the growing prospect of a push for peace talks, with President-elect Trump preparing to enter office on Jan. 20, having called for an immediate ceasefire and a swift end to the war.