Moscow [Russia], June 29: Ukrainian Army Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on June 27 that Russia is massing up to 111,000 troops near Pokrovsk City in Donetsk Province to control this strategic eastern city, The Kyiv Independent reported yesterday.
After inspecting the situation in the area, General Syrskyi said the areas around Pokrovsk were the "hottest spot" on the 1,200km frontline between Ukraine and Russia, with nearly 50 clashes a day.
Although not a major city, Pokrovsk is important because it lies on a strategic road and rail route, which is part of the main supply route to other military centers in the region. Along with Kostiantynivka, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, Pokrovsk forms the backbone of Ukraine 's defenses in the territory that Kyiv still controls in Donetsk.
Pokrovsk is considered a strategic target for Russia, which could help the country achieve its goal of controlling the entire Donetsk and Luhansk provinces. In addition, Mr. Syrskyi said that Russia also wants to cross the Donetsk administrative border to enter the neighboring Dnipropetrovsk province, an area where Moscow forces have not yet set foot. According to Mr. Syrskyi, Russia's intention may be to create a psychological effect, in addition to combat goals.
Russian forces have been trying to take Pokrovsk for nearly a year, but have been unsuccessful despite being considered to have superior numbers and weapons. According to CNN, Russia was unable to increase its troop levels in Pokrovsk much last year because it had to divert troops to deal with a Ukrainian offensive in Russia's Kursk province. Syrskyi said last week that at one point the Kursk operation held back nearly 63,000 Russian troops and about 7,000 North Korean troops, helping Ukraine relieve pressure on major fronts, including Pokrovsk.
Russia has not commented on the assessment of the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian army. Speaking at a conference in Minsk (Belarus) on June 27, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he is ready for a third round of peace talks with Ukraine, according to RT. The leader said that the heads of the two countries' negotiating delegations are in regular contact, but the time and location have not been agreed.
Mr Putin acknowledged that the two sides' proposals for a deal were diametrically opposed but insisted that was normal, adding that differences could be resolved at the negotiating table. Ukraine wants the two countries' leaders to meet, but Russia says that should only happen after the main elements of a peace deal have been agreed.
On the other hand, also in Belarus, President Putin said that Russia is ready to give up about $300 billion in assets frozen in the West if that helps Moscow accelerate the transition away from Western-dominated financial systems, according to The Moscow Times . At the same time, Putin said that Russia will continue to work to strengthen its own financial payment systems, cooperating with "friendly countries."
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
