Danger in Donbas as Ukraine’s front line falters

For the past two months, Russia has poured most of those resources into attacking the logistical hub of Pokrovsk, just north-west of Kurakhove. The push advanced at an alarming rate, and even accelerated after Ukraine launched an operation inside Russia that was ostensibly designed to reduce the pressure. A Ukrainian fightback in the last week has stabilised the westernmost lines. But soldiers report the Russians are regrouping along a wider front north and south of Kurakhove—an apparent effort to encircle Ukrainian forces there. The centre of the fighting has moved to the towns of Ukrainsk and Halytsynivka, about 15km north of Kurakhove, both visible from a distance by the plumes of dark smoke.