The Russian Offensive​

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Since the capture of Avdivka in February 2024, Kremlin troops have broken through Ukrainian defense lines in Donetsk oblast. They are now only 7 km from the town of Pokrovsk, a Ukrainian army logistics center located on the T0504 road that crosses the region from west to east, linking towns essential to regional defense. In order to slow down the Russian advance and fortify the area around Pokrovsk, the Ukrainian army took up positions in various towns such as Torestk, Mynrohrad and Khurakove.

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In the surrounding countryside, Ukrainian artillerymen live hidden under groves to escape the massive deployment of Russian drones that overfly their positions almost constantly. Caught in the crossfire, the villagers have no choice but to pack up. At wheat harvest time, many farmers were forced to stop harvesting as bombardments rained down on their farms. While many had already left, others chose to stay until the last moment, delaying the inevitable abandonment of the fruit of a lifetime's work.​