Ukraine fortifies defenses against Russian advance in Donetsk

Kyiv is ramping up its surprise offensive in the Russian province of Kursk, deploying a significant number of troops, armored vehicles, and weapons. This military action comes as alarms are raised in the Donbas region, where Russian forces are rapidly advancing towards Pokrovsk, a crucial base for Ukrainian defenses in Donetsk province. Despite the slower pace of advancement since the offensive began on August 6, Ukrainian Armed Forces are reportedly moving through enemy territory at a rate of approximately two kilometers per day. Ukrainian army commander Oleksandr Syrskyi announced the establishment of a military administration for the occupied Russian territories, aimed at maintaining law and order and addressing the needs of the local population. General Eduard Moskalyov has been appointed to lead this command, signaling Kyiv's commitment to its operations in Russian territory for the foreseeable future. Analysts suggest that this offensive could bolster Ukraine's position in future negotiations with Moscow. One of the strategic objectives of the Kursk operation is to divert Russian reinforcements from the eastern front in Donetsk and the southern front in Zaporizhzhia. However, Ukrainian officials, including Vitali Vitsak from the 77th Separate Airborne Brigade, have noted that the expected transfer of Russian units has not occurred as significantly as anticipated, with Russian forces now only 10 kilometers from the strategic town. Additionally, the offensive has resulted in the capture of over 4,000 Russian soldiers, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to prioritize negotiations for prisoner exchanges. Since the onset of the invasion in February 2022, there have been 54 exchanges, with more than 3,400 Ukrainian citizens released.