The Bundeswehr suggested that Ukraine would have to abandon Pokrovsk

Ukrainian defenders will have to withdraw from Pokrovsk in Donetsk Region as early as the end of this year or early next year. This was stated by the head of the special staff for Ukraine at the German Defence Ministry, Major-General Christian Freiding, on the air of the Bundeswehr's Nachgefragt programme.

He emphasised that there was a "particularly critical situation" on this section of the front and stressed that Pokrovsk was of great importance for further fighting as it was an important transport hub.

The general suggested that it will be important for the Russians to occupy the settlement and they will do their best to do so without paying attention to the loss of manpower. He also believes that if the Ukrainian troops do not retreat, the Russians will try to completely destroy Pokrovsk.

Russia is attacking with manpower and assets that are almost impossible for us to imagine. The Russian armed forces are losing up to 2,000 people a day in Donbass, but it can compensate for these losses," Freiding said.

In the Kursk direction, according to him, the situation is also difficult. Ukrainian troops have gained a foothold there after the offensive in August, but Russia intends to throw up to 60,000 troops in this direction.

Ukraine's defence is very stable, but over the next few weeks and months it will also come under increasing pressure," the major-general said.

Note, the Russian army is reaching with artillery to all districts of the city. There are less than six kilometres from the front line to Pokrovsk. Part of Pokrovsk and surrounding villages are de-energised, also gas networks in the city have been damaged. The invaders are hunting locals with kamikaze drones. More than 11,000 people still remain in the city, including 31 children.