Russian forces are currently positioned just 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) from the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, following an advance from the south towards this critical road and rail hub, which had a pre-war population of 60,000, as reported by a well-known pro-Russian blogger on Friday.

According to open-source maps, Russia has gained control over an area in Ukraine comparable to the size of Virginia and is making its fastest advances since the early stages of the 2022 invasion. Yuri Podolyaka, a notable military blogger of Ukrainian origin who supports Russia, indicated that Russian troops are now within 1.5 kilometers of Pokrovsk after their southern push. He also mentioned that Russian sabotage and reconnaissance units, which operate ahead of the main forces, have already infiltrated the city.

Due to reporting restrictions, Reuters has been unable to independently verify the battlefield claims from either side. In recent days, Ukraine’s military has reported that Russian forces have either destroyed or taken control of several Ukrainian positions near Pokrovsk.

The loss of this city, a vital logistics center for the Ukrainian military, would represent one of Ukraine’s most significant military setbacks in recent months. Gaining control of Pokrovsk, referred to by Russian media as “the gateway to Donetsk,” would enable Moscow to significantly disrupt Ukrainian supply routes along the eastern front and enhance its efforts to capture the strategically important city of Chasiv Yar, which is situated on elevated terrain that could provide broader control over the surrounding area.

Restricting the Ukrainian military’s access to the roadways in the surrounding area would complicate Kyiv’s ability to maintain control over territories flanking Pokrovsk, potentially enabling Russia to strengthen and push forward its front line.

Additionally, the city is home to a mine that serves as Ukraine’s sole domestic supplier of coking coal for its formerly robust steel sector. According to an industry source on Thursday, Ukrainian steel producer Metinvest BV has suspended certain operations at the mine due to its closeness to advancing Russian forces along the conflict’s front line.