The biggest Russian gain in recent weeks was further west from Pokrovsk, in an area referred to by the Ukrainian military as the Novopavlivske direction, named after the village of Novopavlivka which became a defence hub following the westward retreat of Ukrainian troops.
Military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets says Moscow’s operation there was most threatening for Ukraine as its defence measures “collapsed”, allowing the Russians to advance up to 10km a day.
Their move was so rapid that Russian military bloggers even claimed that their troops had reached the neighbouring Dnipropetrovsk region for the first time since the start of the invasion.
Ukrainian military officials deny these claims, saying that a small group of Russian soldiers entered a village in the Dnipropetrovsk region to takes photos with a Russian flag but were quickly “eliminated”. The Institute for the Study of War, however, indicates that Russian troops are still operating there.
Maj Trehubov argues this area offers little strategic advantage for Russian troops and their assault was instead motivated by political goals.
Advancing further into Dnipropetrovsk region may work well for propaganda messages, but would require greater resources that are currently tied up in Pokrovsk and Kostyantynivka.
The Ukrainians are nevertheless facing increasing pressure on the front lines, as Russian troops are constantly trying to cut off their supply lines with drone attacks.
“Those routes that we used two months ago, we can’t use them now, not during the daytime, not even at night,” Staff Sgt Viktor Pyasetskyi from Ukraine’s 93rd brigade stationed near Kostyantynivka told the BBC over the phone.
As a result it has become extremely complicated and slow to deliver food and ammunition, evacuate the wounded and rotate troops on the front line.
Russian drones like the Gerbera can fly for hundreds of kilometres to reach places that until recently were regarded as relatively safe.
Their aim is not just to erase defence lines but also “to terrorise the population”, says Staff Sgt Pyasetskiy. “They systematically destroy civilian buildings. They want to undermine morale and weaken our faith in Ukraine’s ability to stop the Russians.”
As he spoke, he was interrupted by the roar of drones. Shortly afterwards there were reports of an apartment block being hit. It was later confirmed the staff sergeant had survived.