MOSCOW: Russian forces are close to taking the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk after a pincer movement almost totally encircled it while small groups of highly mobile Russian units penetrated the city, according to Russian military bloggers. WHAT IS POKROVSK? Pokrovsk is a road and rail hub in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region with a pre-war population of some 60,000 people. Most people have now fled, all children have been evacuated and few civilians remain. It lies on a key road which has been used by the Ukrainian military.

Ukraine's president confirms Russian soldiers have taken up position inside the town of Pokrovsk.

Pokrovsk, città ucraina del Donetsk orientale, è prossima alla coinquista. I soldati russi hanno quasi completamente circondato la roccaforte ucraina e alcune unità mobili...

MOSCOW: Russian forces are close to taking the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk after a pincer movement almost totally encircled it while small groups of highly mobile Russian…

The capture of Pokrovsk could unlock Russian efforts to seize the rest of the Donetsk region.

The source clarified that "as a result of heavy fighting, a large enemy defensive area covering a total area of over 12 square kilometers has come under the control of the Russian…