General Lutsenko dismissed amid Russian push towards 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 related to the swift advances of Russian forces towards the strategically important city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine.
General Oleksandr Lutsenko has been dismissed from the position of commander of the operational-tactical group "Donetsk". As reported by the portal Ukrainska Pravda, this decision is connected with the rapid advancement of Russian forces towards the city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine.
Pokrovsk is a key logistical centre for the Ukrainian army. Russia has sought to capture it for several weeks, making it an area of intense fighting.
Kyiv must defend Pokrovsk
The city still operates a functioning mine, which is the only domestic supplier of coking coal for what was once a giant steel industry in Ukraine. The loss of Pokrovsk would represent a significant defeat for Kyiv.
In October and November, Russian forces advanced towards Pokrovsk at the fastest rate since the beginning of the war.
General Lutsenko, responsible for the defence of this area, has been replaced by General Oleksandr Tarnavsky, who in 2022 led the counteroffensive in southern Ukraine, recapturing Kherson.
