Ukraine's top commander says fighting on Pokrovsk front 'exceptionally tough'
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Ukrainian servicemen gathering around a pickup truck in Pokrovsk, Ukraine, as they prepare to move into battle, on Aug 24.
PHOTO: REUTERS
KYIV - Ukraine's top commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Aug 29 he spent several days on the eastern Pokrovsk front and described fighting there as "exceptionally tough".
Russia has been pressing hard towards the strategic hub of Pokrovsk in recent months, steadily inching forward.
The scale of assaults did not drop after Ukraine launched a surprise incursion into Russia's west Kursk region
President Volodymyr Zelensky said the situation near Pokrovsk was "extremely difficult" and Kyiv would further strengthen its positions.
"Fights are exceptionally tough. The enemy throws into battle everything that can move and advance, trying to break through our defenses," General Syrskyi said on Facebook.
He said the most intense clashes were taking place in the area of Krasnyi Yar, some 10km from the city of Pokrovsk.
Eastern outskirts of Hrodivka village, less than 9km from the strategic route connecting the city to Kostiantynivka, were also seeing intensified assaults, Gen Syrskyi added.
Ukraine's General Staff put the number of clashes in Pokrovsk front at 23 since the start of the day.
Mr Zelensky said on Telegram on Aug 29 he was briefed by his top military on the situation during a meeting that also discussed "concrete defensive actions".
He added that Ukrainian domestically produced long-range weapons were discussed in a separate meeting, as well as the Kursk incursion.
"Operation tasks are being implemented," he added. REUTERS
