Amid intensifying military advances by Russian forces in eastern Ukraine, parents in the city of Pokrovsk are taking desperate measures to avoid mandatory evacuations. Local authorities have reported that some families are hiding their children in an effort to remain in their homes, despite escalating warnings that Russian troops are advancing rapidly toward the city.
Communities within and surrounding Pokrovsk have been urged to evacuate immediately, with local officials warning that the situation will only deteriorate further as Russian forces push closer. Yurii Tretiak, head of the military administration in the nearby town of Myrnohrad, which lies less than three miles from the front lines, issued a stark message: “Don’t wait. It will not get better, it will only get worse. Leave.”
Resistance to Evacuation Orders
Despite these warnings, many residents are hesitant to leave, citing concerns such as having nowhere to go or believing that no one needs them. The Ukrainian Ministry for the Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories has mandated the evacuation of children from certain areas of the Donetsk region, including the Pokrovsk district, to protect families from the intensifying conflict. Yet, some parents are reportedly avoiding compliance by concealing their children and providing false information to authorities.
Tretiak has revealed that the military administration is now conducting house-to-house visits to locate families who are resisting evacuation orders. “We have cases when parents hide their children. Today, we will have a meeting with the police to discuss how we will work with such people and search for parents who hide children,” he stated.
As the situation grows more perilous, evacuation rates have surged, with approximately 600 to 700 people leaving the region daily. However, the urgency remains high, with Tretiak warning that the Russian advance is progressing “faster than expected.” He emphasized the need to evacuate as many people as possible before the end of the week.
Strategic Importance of Pokrovsk
While Pokrovsk is not a major city—its population before the war was about 60,000—its strategic significance cannot be overstated. The city serves as a key hub for Ukrainian military operations, providing critical access to Kostiantynivka, another important military center. Ukrainian forces use the road connecting the two cities to resupply front-line troops and evacuate casualties to safer areas like Dnipro.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces have described the Pokrovsk area as the “hottest” front of the war. In their latest update, they reported repelling 11 Russian attacks, with fighting continuing in multiple locations across the region. While Pokrovsk itself remains under Ukrainian control, nearby areas are facing relentless bombardment.
Russian Advances and Ukrainian Defenses
In recent days, Russian forces have made significant gains in the Donetsk region, with the Russian Ministry of Defense announcing on Thursday that their troops had seized control of the village of Mezhove. Ukrainian officials have not yet commented on this development. As part of their broader offensive, Russian forces have intensified their efforts to take more territory in eastern Ukraine, putting increased pressure on Ukrainian defenders.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the situation in a televised speech, acknowledging the growing threat in the region. “The frontline is our position, first of all, in the Pokrovsk direction, our Donetsk region. We understand the moves of the enemy and are strengthening ourselves,” Zelensky said, indicating that Ukrainian forces are being reinforced to prevent further Russian advances.
Ukraine’s Cross-Border Incursions
While Russian forces push into eastern Ukraine, Kyiv has been conducting bold cross-border operations into Russian territory. Ukrainian troops have advanced into the Kursk region, capturing over 1,000 square kilometers of Russian territory and damaging key infrastructure. This marks the first time foreign troops have entered Russian soil since World War II, a major embarrassment for the Kremlin.
On Wednesday, Russian authorities claimed to have thwarted another Ukrainian attempt to cross into the Bryansk region. According to regional governor Alexander Bogomaz, Russian military units repelled an incursion by Ukrainian forces, stabilizing the area after clashes erupted in the Klimovsky district. Ukraine has not commented on the incident, though such cross-border incursions have become more frequent in recent weeks as part of Ukraine’s broader strategy to stretch Russian defenses.
Evacuations Continue Amid Mounting Tensions
As the situation in eastern Ukraine becomes increasingly precarious, the need for civilian evacuations remains urgent. The military administration in Pokrovsk continues to work tirelessly to evacuate residents, but resistance from some families complicates the effort. With Russian forces closing in and attacks intensifying, local authorities are striving to protect as many people as possible before it’s too late.
For now, the fate of Pokrovsk and the surrounding region hangs in the balance, as both Ukrainian and Russian forces brace for what may be a decisive phase in the ongoing conflict.
