Russia's strategic plan is to capture Vuhledar - Kurakhove - Pokrovsk sector - Ukrainian military

He said this on the air of the Espreso TV channel.

‘The Russia's strategic plan is not to take Pokrovsk itself. The Russians are planning to take the direction Vuhledar - Kurakhove - Pokrovsk sector. It is still a dozen kilometres to Pokrovsk, even to the administrative territory of Pokrovsk. Given that the enemy advances a maximum of 100, 200, 500 metres per day, we understand that the question of the Russian army's approach to Pokrovsk is very relative. Moreover, the enemy's speed in this direction has slowed down significantly,’ Tymochko said.

‘The Russians have a dilemma about trying to expand their flanks as much as possible, as the strip they have passed is rather conditional — within 10-20 km, depending on the width,’ the serviceman said.

‘This means that it is being shelled by artillery from both sides, and fire control can be maintained if there are appropriate means of destruction. The occupying Russian troops are forced to expand their flanks, as they understand that the Armed Forces are also amassing artillery, MLRS systems and troops in this area. Several brigades from the reserves have been redeployed to the Pokrovsk direction, it's no secret. The situation is serious, it is important to pay attention to it, but not to consider the area as already lost or a guaranteed success of the enemy, because the fighting continues and will be intense,’ he added.

•  The Telegraph wrote that Russian occupation forces are actively advancing in the Pokrovsk direction and will be able to reach the city by mid-September, but will not be able to capture it.