Ukraine war latest: Extra security at ‘extremely exposed’ nuclear plant – as Moscow takes action against US newspapers

Russian forces are making significant advances in the direction of the key mining city of Pokrovsk.

Moscow sees taking control of the city as an important stepping stone to annexing the entire Donbas region.

Just to the west of the city is its coal mine, which is the only place in Ukraine that produces high-quality coking coal, critical for the steel industry and war effort.

Pokrovsk also lies on a key road used by the Ukrainian military to supply other embattled outposts. 

During the first year of the war, the city was considered the safest place in the Donbas, with the frontline then 30 miles away.

Now, Russian advances mean that, at the current rate, there are strong fears that the city could fall in the coming weeks.

Ukrainian officials have given residents two weeks to evacuate, with lives bundled into suitcases and people placed on trains heading away from the region.

How can Ukraine hold the city?

Kyiv had hoped that its surprise invasion of the Kursk region of Russia would divert troops away from Pokrovsk.

But, speaking yesterday, Ukraine’s top commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said Moscow had understood its aims and had continued to focus its efforts on Pokrovsk.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that Ukraine would “further strengthen” its forces in the region after warning the situation was “difficult”.

But, if Kyiv’s forces can hold out, time could be on their side.

Analysts have pointed out that it will be difficult for Vladimir Putin to maintain momentum during the winter months, so he has around 10-12 weeks to achieve his objectives before the winter weather settles in.