Ukraine's Eastern Front: Collapse or Trap?

Russia has been advancing in the east at a rapid pace. Today we look at why Pokrovsk is an important area for Ukraine to hold as well as some Russian predictions that what's happening right now is a trap of sorts.

Sources used in today's video:

[tomwende]

Logistically, Pokrovsk matters a great deal. I hope that russian concerns are valid. Other analysts confirm that the defensive lines on the way to Pokrovsk are hastily constructed.

[abrakadavra]

Whenever one side advances rapidly in this war there's always talk of a trap. There's never a trap. Hasn't even happened once in this war.

[dgart]

I could see how small parts of Pokrovsk could be used as a trap, but the fact we have seen Ukraine give up ground in multiple places in the east does not look like a trap.

[aetius]

The "we're going to turn Pokrovsk into Bahkmut" theory doesn't make any sense. The situations are completely different, and as noted the Russians don't even need to enter Pokrovsk to cut it off logistically and achieve their objectives. Bahkmut was a defensive anchor position with years of fortifications in place and strong flanks. Pokrovsk has open flanks and hastily built temporary fortifications that have done virtually nothing to even delay the Russian advance.

[NoVisionGuy]

Kursk is more believable to be be a trap than Povrosk tbh

[hristohristov]

12:34 The Pheasant flying near the Bradley - this was an excellent catch by the operator!

[Alberto-txvo]

Sounds like wishful thinking to me. Ukraine simply made a strategic mistake and now they will pay for that mistake.

[Sklzky]

The problem with avdiïvka (and a few other pój ts) was that it had no proper second line of defence iirc. What I'm sure I recall correctly is that 5km from Pokrovsk ago nobody in the local government was considering preparing the grounds for potential defence, they were, in fact, planting flowers. I saw it with my own eyes. And it's not the only place doing shit like this. I can understand Kharkiv because it's a giant metropoly and an economic hub, keeping it away even from arty is so important that ypu may not wanna bother with defences, especially if they could hinder other functions of the city. Not to mention the concrete jungle that is Kharkiv is already a death trap, and I'm sure that if the enemy reached 10km from the city and UA had to start evacuating civilians someone would start preparations. We did not see it in Pokrovsk. They're only now digging some haphazard trenches and reinforcing basements, idk maybe something is happening in the basements and we're not allowed to see the footage but this direction is really short on manpower (in fact the battalions in fight have been duking it out under insane density of fires for over 2 months now and genuinely do not have energy left, they're sticking their by sheer power of will and probably some secret slavic magic) and Ukraine CANNOT employ the private sector with heavy equipment, because unlike Russia it cannot force them into range of indirect fires. I'm not going to say I understand what's happening but the situation looks very dire and if it's a trap it's a bloody amazing one, partially because there is no deception when it comes to weakness of the defensive positions and the exhaustion of the troops.

[jeffsmith]

I admire what you are doing for the Ukrainians. I went to Ukraine in April 2022 as a trainer, medic, etc. I am Retired S.F. (Green Beret) and an RN of nearly 30 years. I have served in many different war zones and high threat areas from 1980 to 2022 with about 10 years total in Combat Zones (mostly Iraq in 2 different wars). The Ukrainians were the most motivated, educated, and in my opinion, the most deserving of our help, of the foreign troops that I have helped train over a period of over 40 years. God bless you and God bless Ukraine 🇺🇦. Keep up the great job brother.

[jcdisci]

I served during the cold war in Mons, BE at SHAPE HQ. Those who berate Ukraine for their action in Kursk simply don't know that they don't know the logistics and tactics in use by UAF. NOTHING is what it seems in war...ever. Most of those commenting think war is a video game and lives remaining are marks on a screen. 🙄

[aneurindavies]

From last week: Ukrainian Deputy Maryana Bezugla said "UAF units are being withdrawn from the Donetsk Oblast, thus leaving entire strips of the Front to their fate. Ammunition is not being supplied, allowing Russian forces to pass through; in such circumstances, the occupation of Povrovsk is close, and Toretsk is living out its last days - the Donetsk Region is being given up: beyond Povrovsk is the direct route to Pavlograd where there are no fortifications, then the Dneiper, and the Donbas will Fall".

[BlondBeast]

10:40 They actually lost the first F-16 today. The pilot died in a combat mission. They said it was an accident due to human error, but you know how it works.

[MichaelJohnson-mhmp]

Thanks, Preston for the endorsement and the opportunity!

[alberthenriette]

The trap is in Kursk not in Donetsk. Russia is advancing so quick because Ukraine sent most of resources and best units to kursk. Even a kid can see this😂 The Ukraine troops are trap in Kursk 😭🙏

[thejovialjester]

Thank you Preston for quality news. Your videos are well crafted and when it comes to current events, you're at the top of the list for me. Thanks!

[stehgzk]

The strategically important city of Pokrovsk... well, when this city falls, CNN and other "media" will say "Pokrovsk is not strategically important")))

[risacademics]

Wonderful fundraising concept. Would love to see a strong long-term relationship built between the 47th, your channel and community. Maybe individual stories and merch. Start small and if it takes on build.

Thank you for all your effort 🐺

[mpas]

SPREAD THIS INFORMATION TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW.
Ukrainian journalist Volodymyr Zolkin recently made a video about uselessness of International Committe of the Red Cross (ICRC). While Ukraine gives ICRC full access to russian prisoners of war (POW), Russia doesn't do the same. Ukrainian prisoners of war regularly being tortured and in some cases even killed in russian prisons and ICRC made ZERO public statements about this. As we see in Zolkyn's video - it is the first time since more than two years ICRC even confirmed that Russia doesn't give them access to all places where Ukrainian POWs being held, only to some of them. ICRC still did not make any public statement or document about Russia denying the access to Ukrainian POWs and will not do that any time soon if we just keep ignoring this problem. It is time to act. The only thing which can make some progress in this problem is raising a question about completely blocking any opportunity to visit russian POWs for ICRC in Ukraine, until Ukraine and Red Cross have full access to all Ukrainian POWs on Russia controlled territory or until ICRC make a public statement about Russia restricting them access to Ukrainian POWs. We can start with creation a PETITION ABOUT BLOCKING ICRC ANY ACCESS TO RUSSIAN POWs. No more half measures! This is the only way. ICRC covers themself up with "secrecy and confidentiality" policy, and it didn't bring any real results in terms of even having an opportunity to make any kind of contact with Ukrainian Prisoners of War for most of their relatives.  The only thing that can help is making a huge noise about this situation and spread it as far as we can. This is the only way of returning ALL Ukrainian soldiers and even civilians illegally held in russian prisons to their families, and making sure they will not being tortured and killed while they are on russian controlled territory. If every proukrainian bloger and influencer will talk about this problem - we will archive our goals.
TOGETHER WE ARE STRONG. LET'S GET ALL UKRAINIAN POW'S BACK. GLORY TO UKRAINE!

[asmo]

2 massively exposed flanks. what could go wrong

[marcm.]

Kiting. Popular in gaming, but it's origins are actually in antiquity. This has been used in the past, what makes it so effective is that even when the enemy is suspicious, they don't really have a choice. Dilemma not problem. Also, as you advance it is very difficult to create defensive structures, so a counterattack especially on mostly spent forces, as most Russians should be by now, just before the rainy season will start in a few weeks, would be most effective, so these observations could in fact support their unease. If I were them I would also be extremely worried. I'm not a trained frontline soldier, or officer, but I have studied a lot of history and I can see maps, I can read them. I would also be very worried. Especially because I don't think the Ukrainians are in the process of cracking up