Russian President Vladimir Putin allegedly demanded the surrender of the region to end the war. According to the Glavkom, the commander of the 1st Separate Assault Regiment, Dmytro Perun Filatov, told Channel 24 that Russia seeks full control over all of Donbas because these territories have strategic importance due to water sources needed for the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
According to him, the coal seams in Donbas do not contain normal aquifers, and the rock from which coal is mined contains metals that pollute the water. This makes it difficult to clean water, and there are insufficient sources in the region to meet the needs of the population and businesses.
Filatov also emphasized that the occupied part of the Zaporizhzhia region is in urgent need of water, which is an integral part of agriculture. This further motivates Russia to keep control over these territories, as local residents will start demanding better living conditions, which the occupiers cannot provide, when hostilities cease.
Pokrovsk - a battleground
The Russian Federation is concentrating over 100,000 troops near Pokrovsk, making it the main target of the winter campaign. Analysts' information highlights that even capturing the city will not be a strategic breakthrough in the war.
According to Associated Press, Ukrainian and Russian forces are engaged in prolonged battles for the city, sometimes even controlling individual residential buildings.
Pokrovsk has become not only a battlefield but also a major platform for influencing the international public: both sides are trying to convince Washington and the world of their victorious positions on the battlefield.
The Ukrainian army reports attempts by Russia to gain full control over Donbas due to the strategic importance of water resources in the region. Russian troops are concentrated near Pokrovsk, turning it into the primary target of their winter campaign, but even capturing the city will not guarantee them a strategic turnaround in the conflict.