Russia closes in on eastern city despite Ukraine’s successes elsewhere

“There’s some evidence that the Russians are actually engaging the last proper defensive line outside of the town outside of Pokrovsk,” said Franz-Stefan Gady, a Vienna-based military analyst with the Center for a New American Security.

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“The picture in the Donbas looks rather concerning to me,” said Gady, the military analyst, referring to the rust belt in eastern Ukraine where Pokrovsk and Toretsk are situated.

Russia continues to hold a large advantage in manpower and firepower over Ukrainian forces, he said.

“The larger question is, what kind of reserves are now no longer available” in Pokrovsk that would have otherwise been available had there not been an operation in Kursk, Gady said.

“War is always about making choices,” Gady said. “The question is, is this the right choice to commit forces to expand the front line” into Russia, “or would it have been wiser to hold back reserves [and] stabilize the front line in the Donbas?”

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