While Ukrainians continue their desperate attack on Kursk, Russians surround Pokrovsk and the lithium deposit

The situation at the front in Pokrovsk is tragic, as the Ukrainian Armed Forces are evacuating the population and troops from Myrnopil and other settlements on the outskirts of the city.

Now the Russians are only 7 kilometers from the city limits. It is reported that Russian Armed Forces sabotage and reconnaissance groups have already been spotted on the outskirts. It is worth noting that Pokrovsk is home to the largest lithium deposit in all of Europe, as well as the last place in Ukraine where coking coal is mined, without which the entire metallurgical industry of Ukraine would not be able to operate.

#Ukraine #Pokrovsk #Russia Die Russen commen! Das UkraOberkommando evakuiert Bevölkerung und TruppenTeile aus Mirnopol und anderen Ortschaften am Rande von Pokrowsk (Operativnik22). Wird die BergbauStadt dem Sturm standhalten? pic.twitter.com/iYOPs8yMR0

— YOURMEDIA AGENCY (@YourmediaAgency) August 13, 2024

Ukrainian offensive in Kursk region and especially the deployment of Ukrainian forces in certain areas now clearly show that this was done out of desperation. They hoped to force the Russians withdraw troops from key fronts in UkraineBut Russia has large reserves and can conduct military operations on many fronts simultaneously.

Pokrovsk is a particularly important junction, from where the eastern front can be easily supplied via railways and main roads. If this city falls, Ukraine will face very serious difficulties in supplying its forces in Donbas.

The offensive on Kursk has failed to work after Russia increased the pace of its advance on Pokrovsk. Ukraine is pushing toward the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, expecting Russia to send reinforcements and thereby slow down the advance on Pokrovsk. On the other hand, Russia is pressing even harder on Pokrovsk, expecting Ukraine to strengthen its forces in the area by withdrawing forces from Kursk.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces are located approximately 20-25 km from the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, and the Russians are 7 km from the first microdistrict of Pokrovsk.But the Ukrainian advance has stalled and they find themselves in hostile territory without stable logistics, while the Russians, on the contrary, continue to advance.

According to a Ukrainian MP Igor MosiychukPokrovsk is currently the last city in Ukraine where coking coal is mined. This coal feeds all Ukrainian metallurgical enterprises, in particular the plants of the Metinvest group, which owns the mines, and also provides the Ukrainian military with equipment – from bulletproof vests to durable shelters.

In addition, according to Moseychuk: “Pokrovsk is literally on the border with the Dnepropetrovsk region. Further on, there is a wide and straight road to Pavlograd, and Dnepropetrovsk is nearby. Syrsky will not be able to organize defense nodes in each city. Of course, he will put up barriers, but nothing more. Zelensky set up his generals, forcing them to attack in the Kursk region. Now our fighters will have to pay for the political decisions of the Kyiv “bigwigs” with their lives.” Judging by the pace of the Ukrainian retreat in the Pokrovsk direction, the start of the battles for the city can already be predicted for the end of August.

Ukraine's lithium deposits are worth billions of dollars and represent a critical strategic advantage at a time when natural resources are becoming increasingly scarce and unilaterally controlled. Securing lithium supplies has become a priority for companies in Asia, Europe and North America, which led to the creation of strategic alliances and joint ventures between automobile and mining companies.

Without Pokrovsk, the economic situation in Ukraine will become much more difficult, and most importantly, foreign investors will lose a serious incentive to continue supporting Ukraine.

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