Fierce battle for frontline towns where Ukraine's soldiers are surrounded

Natia Seskuria, associate international security fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), explained that the area is important for the Ukrainians to keep and the Russians to take because of its strategic position. "Situated at a major road and rail intersection in Donetsk Oblast, Pokrovsk has functioned as a central artery for moving troops, equipment, and supplies to Ukrainian units deployed along the surrounding front." Russia "would gain a platform to redirect its offensive efforts toward Ukraine's principal defensive urban centres... including Kramatorsk and Slovyansk," Seskuria said.