The war that started three years ago in February between Russia and Ukraine is still continuing. The fighting slows down from time to time, but recently Russia’s attacks have gained momentum. The city of Pokrovsk is the target of its army. An entire area including this city has long been a priority for the Russian Army, so that they can strengthen their hold on Ukraine.
The location of Pokrovsk city makes it very strategically important. This area continued to act as a center point for the supply of logistics. In such a situation, if this city comes under the control of the Russian Army, then a big fort will be conquered. But there is another big reason behind trying to control it. This city and the surrounding large area are inhabited by pro-Russian people, who consider themselves separate from Ukraine.
Why is it important for Ukraine as well as Russia?
Pokrovsk remained an important road and rail center in the eastern region of Ukraine. Before the war, the population here was around sixty thousand, which is now decreasing to just over ten thousand. The importance of the city is also very high because it continued to act as a supply route, that is, it helps in delivering essential things from here to there. This city remained a kind of stronghold, from where the Ukrainian army kept supplying essential items to the cities destroyed in the fighting. The city falls in that part of Ukraine called Donetsk. Being situated on the border of Russia, its strategic importance was very high.
More people consider themselves closer to Russia
The Donetsk area has a high percentage of Russian speakers who consider themselves close to Russia. According to the last census, about 75 percent of the population of Donetsk speaks Russian. They are also culturally connected to Russia. Before the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2014, people here kept advocating for maintaining good relations with Russia. However, after the conflict, the distance between the two countries increased, during which the people of this entire region started becoming more connected to Russia.
After the merger of Crimea with Russia in 2014, the people here started openly supporting Moscow. A heavy war has also taken place between the Ukrainian army and Russian supporters.
Separatists are flourishing
There are many separatist groups here, which run movements in favor of Russia. Apart from Donetsk, which also includes the city of Pokrovsk, another area, Luhansk, is also full of separatists supporting Russia. Even the separatists of these areas had announced to separate themselves from Ukraine. Ukraine considers them as its territory, while Russia continues to fuel their rebellion.
These areas announced separation
A referendum was also held here, in which more than 80 percent of the population voted for their own separate republic. International forums including Ukraine rejected it, while Russia seized the opportunity and formally recognized Donetsk and Luhansk as separate from Ukraine. Now these important areas have become more sensitive during the war. If the Russian army gets control here, then the question of local opposition does not arise, rather it will be able to reach further through them.
Russia did not directly occupy the Donetsk and Luhansk areas because this was not a correct calculation from the diplomatic point of view. Recall that after the Russian occupation of Crimea region of Ukraine in February 2014, Moscow had to face a lot of difficulties. Trade and diplomatic restrictions were imposed on it. The image took a hit even at the international level.
Now he is working very carefully. This is the reason why it is not even occupying Russian speaking areas, but is recognizing them as independent countries. With this, he will be in a win-win situation in every aspect. Apart from this, Russia also has partial occupation in Kherson area. At the same time, he is gradually increasing his hold on other areas.
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