Ukraine Deploys New Leopard Tanks and Caesar Howitzers in Battle for Pokrovsk
Forbes reports a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, as Ukraine deploys new Leopard tanks and Caesar howitzers in the battle for Pokrovsk. The situation is dire, with Russia mobilizing approximately 70,000 troops, led by the 90th Guards Tank Division, and closing in on the vital transportation hub in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast.
Russian Advancement Toward Pokrovsk
Russian forces are making swift advances, positioning themselves just four miles from Pokrovsk as they establish defensive lines to prevent Ukrainian reinforcement efforts. This offensive comes as part of Moscow’s escalated efforts to fully occupy Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts before potential peace talks in the wake of political changes in the US.
Ukrainian Response and Reinforcement
In response to the escalating threat, the Ukrainian garrison, comprised of fewer than a dozen brigades with limited troop numbers, has received crucial reinforcement from the newly formed 155th Mechanized Brigade. Equipped with advanced German Leopard 2 tanks and French Caesar howitzers, the brigade completed training in France and Poland to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
The Calm Before the Storm
As tensions mount and the battle for Pokrovsk looms, the city, once bustling with 60,000 residents, now stands nearly empty except for military personnel. Volunteer fighter Denys Khrystov describes an unsettling silence in the air, signaling the calm before the storm as both sides brace for the impending conflict.
Amidst the strategic maneuvers and military preparations, the outcome of the battle for Pokrovsk holds immense significance in the broader context of the war, which has already taken a heavy toll with over a million casualties, predominantly Russian. As Ukrainian forces strategize and Russian troops advance, the fate of Pokrovsk hangs in the balance, shaping the course of the conflict in the region.
