General Lutsenko ousted as Russia targets strategic Pokrovsk
General Oleksandr Lutsenko has been dismissed from the command of the "Donetsk" group, reports Ukrainska Pravda. According to the portal, Lutsenko's dismissal is linked to the rapid advances of Russian forces towards the strategically important city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine.
General Oleksandr Lutsenko has been relieved of his role as commander of the operational-tactical group "Donetsk." As reported by the portal Ukrainska Pravda, this decision is related to the swift advancement of Russian forces towards the city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine.
Pokrovsk serves as a critical logistical centre for the Ukrainian army. Russia has aimed to capture it for several weeks, making it an area of intense conflict.
Kyiv must defend Pokrovsk
The city still hosts an operational mine, which serves as the only domestic supplier of coking coal for Ukraine's once-mighty steel industry. The fall of Pokrovsk would represent a significant defeat for Kyiv.
In October and November, Russian forces advanced towards Pokrovsk at the fastest pace since the war began.
General Lutsenko, responsible for the defence of this area, has been replaced by General Oleksandr Tarnavsky, who led the 2022 counteroffensive in southern Ukraine, successfully reclaiming Kherson.
