According to Oleksandr, the situation on the front lines has deteriorated dramatically. “This is the most dangerous of all front lines,” he states, as he oversees a makeshift field unit where injured soldiers are first treated.
Located near Pokrovsk, a mining city about 60 kilometers north-west of Donetsk, this field unit has recently witnessed a surge in casualties, with medics reporting the treatment of 50 soldiers in a single day—a stark reflection of the escalating violence. Injured troops are brought in under the cover of darkness to avoid drone strikes from Russian forces.
While Pokrovsk was once considered relatively safe, with a community of around 60,000 residents, the ongoing conflict has transformed it into a near ghost town, with over 75% of its population fleeing.
Ukrainian officials corroborate the claims from soldiers on the ground, noting that the fighting around Pokrovsk is among the most intense. Military sources report approximately 150 enemy attacks on most days over the past two weeks.
At the field unit, army medic Tania tends to Serhii, a soldier with severe facial injuries. “His condition is serious,” she remarks as the medical team quickly administers care.
In the last 24 hours, two soldiers were brought in dead, illustrating the brutal reality of the fight for Pokrovsk—a vital transport hub crucial for evacuating civilians and supplies.
As Russian drones loom overhead, the dangers of evacuation from the front line intensify. Windows of the medical facilities are boarded to shield against drone reconnaissance, but stepping outside risks deadly encounters.
Residents like Viktoriia Vasylevska are living in constant fear. “We constantly hear them buzzing – they stop and look inside the windows,” she explains, deciding now to evacuate her home on the eastern edge of the city, an area particularly under threat.
The relentless conflict has eroded the morale of many. Most of Pokrovsk is now without essential services, leaving residents reliant on makeshift communal water sources.
As the city faces deprivation, 69-year-old Larysa expresses her distress, noting her inability to afford rent elsewhere. “I’m terrified. I can’t live without sedatives,” she admits.
Others, like 20-year-old Roman, question the value of the territory being fought over, citing the loss of young lives in the conflict. “I don’t think the territory we’re fighting for is worth human lives,” he reflects.
Artillery positions near the city remain active. Ukrainian soldier Vadym notes the overwhelming manpower of Russian forces and the dire stakes involved. “If Pokrovsk falls, it could open a gateway to the Dnipro region, making our situation even more precarious,” he warns.
Despite exhaustion and loss, he emphasizes the necessity of fighting on, stating, “We have to fight; otherwise, the result will be catastrophic.”
