What You Need to Know: Russian forces are intensifying their push towards the strategic Ukrainian town of Pokrovsk, aiming to capture it before winter conditions bolster defenses. With fighting near the coal town of Selydove, just 13 kilometers from Pokrovsk, British Military Intelligence reports encroaching Russian advances.

-The offensive has raised significant war crime concerns as Ukrainian officials investigate the recent execution of four POWs by Russian forces near Selydove.

-Alleged violations include systematic abuses and disregard for the laws of armed conflict, with Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office leading investigations. The encirclement of Pokrovsk remains a critical phase in the Donbas conflict.

Pokrovsk Under Siege: Russian Forces Press Towards Key Ukrainian Town

The Russian forces are making progress towards a strategic Ukrainian town. The Ukrainian military is putting up a fierce resistance but also conceding ground. Meanwhile, increasingly more instances of Russian troops executing prisoners of war surface.  

The Fight for Pokrovsk  

“Russian Land Forces (RLF) have almost certainly advanced into the coal mining town of Selydove, around thirteen kilometers southeast from the major logistics hub of Pokrovsk,” the British Military Intelligence assessed in a recent estimate of the conflict.   

Pokrovsk remains the ultimate target for the Russian military. A key logistical hub for the Donbas, Pokrovsk is important for the Ukrainian defensive line in that part of the contact line.  

The Russian forces are trying to approach Pokrovsk from multiple directions and threaten the town with encirclement.  

“The town remains contested, with fighting likely continuing to take place within the town center. Selydove is the last significant urban area screening the southern flank of Pokrovsk as well as the E50 highway, which connects Selydove to Pokrovsk,” the British Military Intelligence added.  

“Since the beginning of October 2024, the RLF rate of advance towards Pokrovsk had slowed down significantly, with the RLF remaining within approximately seven kilometers, or 4.3 miles, of the city,” the British Military Intelligence stated.  

The Russian high command is focusing resources and men against Pokrovsk in an attempt to capture the town before the onset of winter “freezes” the battlefield and aids defensive action. 

“The RLF has recently directed resources towards the southern part of the axis, targeting Selydove and partially encircling the town. Russia likely aims to use the E50 highway as a secondary route of advance to Pokrovsk if Selydove is taken,” the British Military Intelligence concluded.  

War Crimes  

If the Russian way of war in Ukraine has taught one thing is that where there is heavy fighting, there are often war crimes. And the fighting around Selydove and Pokrovsk is no exception.  

“Ukrainian authorities are investigating another execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) by Russian forces in the Pokrovsk direction against the backdrop of Russian forces' increasingly frequent POW executions across the theater,” the Institute for the Study of War assessed in its latest operational update of the conflict.  

Although both sides have likely committed war crimes in the heat of battle, the Russian forces have systematically shunned the rules of war on a grand scale. The lack of discipline in the Russian forces and the poor quality of troops only make it easier to commit war crimes.  

The Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office has started an investigation into alleged executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war by retreating Russian troops near Selydove. On October 7, Ukrainian troops recaptured positions near the town and found four Ukrainian troops executed. The Russian forces first interrogated the four Ukrainian troops before executing them in a clear violation of the laws of armed conflict.  

The Russian military has condoned, even encouraged, war crimes against Ukrainian troops and civilians.  

About the Author

Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.

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