January 5, 2025 - According to AFP/Reuters, on January 4, the Ukrainian military said Russia is increasing attacks on the strategic city of Pokrovsk in Ukraine, with the goal of encircling it from the south and cutting off important supply lines for Ukrainian forces.

The Pokrovsk region is currently the hottest spot with 34 attacks recorded in the past 24 hours.

Capturing this rail and road hub in the Donetsk region could seriously complicate the Ukrainian army's fight on the eastern front, while allowing Russia to consolidate and push its defenses westward.

Pokrovsk, with a population of about 60.000 before the war and now only about 11.000, is home to the only coking coal mine that supplies Ukraine's once-thriving steel industry.

Instead of attacking the city directly - which could lead to fierce urban battles - the Russian army is deploying small groups to capture southern settlements to isolate logistics lines.

In response, Ukrainian forces are using drones and precision weapons to stop the Russian military advance.

In a related development, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that it had shot down eight US-supplied ATACMS missiles and 8 drones, although it did not provide details on damage or casualties.