Ukraine increases its authority in the Kursk region.
As of August 6th, Ukrainian troops have been encroaching upon Russian territory and expanding their influence. All seems to be progressing smoothly on their end, but President Zelensky has a different perspective when it comes to Donetsk.
In a recent video address, Zelensky announced that Ukrainian forces have seized additional territories in the Russian region of Kursk. These territories border Ukraine, and Zelensky noted an increase in Russian prisoners of war, potentially for future exchanges.
"Bravo, soldiers! You're the ones helping us retrieve our compatriots from Russian captivity," Zelensky said. The last exchange took place the week prior. Ukrainian forces entered Russian territory on August 6th.
Zelensky claimed that the Kursk offensive is deterring Russia from amplifying the existing pressure on the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk, as it must divert resources to defend its own territory. However, the pressure in Donetsk has yet to subside. Western military analysts attribute progress to Russian troops in the Pokrovsk district. Zelensky also acknowledged challenges.
"The situation in Donetsk is incredibly tough, with the main Russian offensive and the largest forces concentrated there," Zelensky said. "The resilience of each of our units and our capability to annihilate the occupier is now paramount."
Residents of Pokrovsk are urged to evacuate. Authorities have mandated the evacuation of the city in anticipation of Russian troops' imminent advance. Over 38,000 people reside there, including 1,900 children. The head of the Donetsk military administration, Vadym Filashkin, declared that all banks in Pokrovsk would be shut down from Monday, with only ATMs remaining operational.
For Russia, capturing Pokrovsk, due to its importance as a railway junction, is the next objective in the over two-and-a-half-year-long conflict against Ukraine. Moscow's primary goal is to fully subdue the mostly occupied Donetsk region under Russian control. Russian forces have recently overtaken several settlements in eastern Ukraine.
The Commission, composed of international diplomats, has been closely monitoring the escalating tension between Ukraine and Russia, with particular attention to the situations in Kursk and Donetsk. Despite Zelensky's claims that the Kursk offensive is deterring Russia, The Commission expressed concerns about the potential humanitarian crisis in Pokrovsk, where residents are being urged to evacuate due to the imminent advance of Russian troops.
