On Sunday, the Russian Defence Ministry proclaimed its forces had “liberated” Novohrodivka, a settlement in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, approximately 20 kilometers away from the crucial Pokrovsk city. The town, home to over 14,000 people before the start of the Russian offensive in February 2022, now falls under Moscow’s control.
This strategic victory paints a broader picture of Russia’s aggressive campaign in Eastern Ukraine. The decisive capture of Novohrodivka serves as an ominous indication of Russia’s enveloping presence, inching closer to the logistical linchpin of Pokrovsk.
Gaining ground consistently and solidly, Russian forces haven’t let anything throw them off stride – not even Kyiv’s unexpected cross-border assault launched in the Kursk region on August 6. The Russian military continues to doggedly advance in Donetsk, displaying a relentless grip.
Adding much-needed context to the scenario, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that this assertion in Donbas, which envelops Donetsk, was the prime objective in Ukraine after 30 months of intense combat. Fascinatingly, he pointed out how Ukraine’s Kursk counteroffensive had actually eased their task.
