Ukraine Orders Evacuation of Key City as Russia Advances in Donbas
Ukrainian officials have mandated the evacuation of a critical city in the Donbas region as Russian forces continue to advance eastward, despite Ukraine’s own offensive into Russia’s Kursk region. The evacuation order affects families with children residing in Pokrovsk and nearby villages, who have been given no more than two weeks to leave before the Russian military reaches the area.
Serhii Dobriak, head of the city’s military administration, emphasized the urgency of the situation, warning that residents have a limited window to escape the Russian advance. Pokrovsk, a strategic city vital to Ukraine’s defense and a key logistical hub for Kyiv’s eastern forces, has become increasingly vulnerable.
A map of eastern Ukraine shows a significant portion of the Donetsk region under Russian control, with the city of Toretsk on the edge of Russian influence and Pokrovsk further back, but still in danger. Vadym Filashkin, the head of the Donetsk region, noted that over 53,000 people, including nearly 4,000 children, remain in Pokrovsk. Authorities have decided to enforce the evacuation of children and their families, deeming it a necessary and unavoidable measure.
“When our cities are within reach of virtually any enemy weapon, the decision to evacuate is necessary and inevitable,” Filashkin stated.
Dobriak reported that the evacuation pace has increased, with 500 to 600 people leaving the city each day. Although basic services are still operational, they are expected to cease as the Russian army approaches.
This evacuation order coincides with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s announcement of continued progress in the Kursk region of Russia. Zelensky claimed that Ukrainian forces had gained control of more than 1,250 square kilometers of Kursk’s territory and 92 settlements.
“The Russian border area opposite our Sumy region has been mostly cleared of Russian military presence,” Zelensky shared on X. “A few months ago, many around the world would have said this was impossible and crossed Russia’s strictest ‘red line’.”
One reported objective of the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk is to divert Russian troops from the Donbas, easing the pressure on Ukrainian forces there. On Monday, Russian military bloggers alleged that Ukraine had destroyed a third bridge over the River Seym in the Kursk region, though Kyiv has not taken responsibility. The destruction of this bridge would likely disrupt Russian military logistics and aid Ukraine in consolidating its gains in the region.
However, BBC Verify has identified new pontoon bridges—temporary floating crossings—constructed by Russian forces over the river. Satellite images from Saturday reveal these recently built structures near Glushkovo.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a prominent think tank, commented on Russia’s strategy of “gradual creeping advances” in the east. It noted that Ukraine’s unexpected move into Kursk demonstrated how taking the initiative allowed Kyiv to make substantial progress, as opposed to slowly losing ground in a “war of attrition.” The ISW assessed that Ukraine now has a presence across 800 square kilometers of Russian territory, though this does not necessarily imply full control. In comparison, the think tank estimates that Russia gained approximately 1,175 square kilometers between January and July.
