Why Ukraine losing Pokrovsk would be more than just losing territory

Overall, I’m not a proponent of the strategy to hold every meter of land at any cost. That’s a simple tactical choice. At the strategic level — the one on which wars are won — I believe that every kilometer should have a price measured in the number of eliminated invaders. Only one thing can bring Ukraine closer to ending the war and preserving its state: irreversible losses for the enemy: in manpower, equipment, economy, and more.

However, there’s another side to the coin: why the loss of Pokrovsk would add fuel to the fire. The laws of physics apply — the enemy, which is currently suffering massive losses, is demoralized. The same goes for the Russian society which, despite its ignorance, finds no joy in every newly captured village. But taking Pokrovsk would be a huge morale boost. “Putin” would be proven right once again — finally, they’ve captured something. And so they would get their second wind.

Putin fights for symbols. And he knows why: symbols are the foundation of the Russians' faith. Capturing symbols means they’re on the right path. A lack of symbolic victories, on the other hand, signals defeat and a lack of divine favor. 

I’m convinced that if Ukraine held key cities in Donbas until the end of the year, that would demoralize Russian army and neutralize their propaganda. But reality is against this. Ukraine lacks people, resources, and competence. Still, everything possible is being done to prevent this outcome.

Losing Pokrovsk or other cities would "give wings" to Russia, wings that Ukrainian soldiers have been cutting off for a year and a half. And that would be far worse than even high oil prices.

But there’s good news, too. Maybe, just maybe, only the worsening situation on the front will finally sober up a lot of people who’ve clearly forgotten that they're at war.

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About the author. Victor Andrusiv, political and public figure, analyst and publicist

The editorial team does not always share the opinions expressed by the blog authors.