In photos: Civilians flee Pokrovsk and surrounding area as Russia resumes assault on the city
This week, Russian forces in Ukraine’s Donetsk region resumed their assault on the city of Pokrovsk and continued to close in on Kurakhove, the main Ukrainian Armed Forces logistics hub in southern Donbas. As Meduza reported previously, Russian troops are advancing on Kurakhove from multiple directions and moving in on surrounding towns and villages. The following photographs from the Pokrovsk district show the reality on the ground in recent days, as civilians flee and Ukrainian soldiers attempt to hold the line.
A Ukrainian soldier looks out a car window at smoke from an explosion in the Pokrovsk district. September 21, 2024.
Kostiantyn Liberov / Libkos / Getty Images
Drone operators from the Ukrainian “Medoid” Tactical Group of the 3rd Special Operations Forces Regiment in the Pokrovsk district. September 20, 2024.
Vlada Liberova / Libkos / Getty Images
Drone footage of Novohrodivka, a town in the Pokrovsk district that Russian forces claimed control of earlier this month. September 20, 2024.
Kostiantyn Liberov / Libkos / Getty Images
A bridge in Pokrovsk destroyed by a Russian airstrike. September 22, 2024.
Vincenzo Circosta / Anadolu / ABACAPRESS / ddp images / Vida Press
Pokrovsk. September 20, 2024.
Genya Savilov / AFP / Scanpix / LETA
A Pokrovsk resident (who decided not to evacuate in spite of the Russian advance) collects drinking water. Constant Russian attacks have cut off water supplies in the city. September 20, 2024.
Genya Savilov / AFP / Scanpix / LETA
Evacuation routes for residents of surrounding areas pass through Pokrovsk. The photo above shows evacuees from Kurakhove awaiting transport to a safer place. September 21, 2024.
Genya Savilov / AFP / Scanpix / LETA
A crew cleans up shrapnel and debris after another strike on Pokrovsk. September 24, 2024.
Genya Savilov / AFP / Scanpix / LETA
A destroyed rail bridge in Selydove, a town less than 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) from Pokrovsk as the crow flies. In early September, Russian troops bypassed Selydove from the east, in order to launch an assault on Kurakhove. September 21, 2024.
Kostiantyn Liberov / Libkos / Getty Images
A shelter for evacuees run by the charity Stay Safe UA in Druzhkivka, a city in the Donetsk region. This center has taken in civilians from the Pokrovsk district who were forced to flee their homes due to fighting in the area. But Druzhkivka itself is located roughly 20 kilometers from the front line. September 24, 2024.
Pierre Crom / Getty Images
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