Civilians Ordered to Evacuate Pokrovsk Amid Russian Advance

Civilians in Pokrovsk, Ukraine, are facing a forced evacuation as Russian troops advance rapidly toward the city, which is a critical logistics hub in the Donetsk region. Local authorities have ordered families to leave due to an imminent threat, with around 53,000 residents remaining, including approximately 4,000 children. Reports indicate that residents have just one to two weeks to evacuate as the situation deteriorates, with daily clashes intensifying at the front lines. Eyewitness accounts reveal harrowing scenes of families fleeing with their belongings while explosions echo nearby, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need for a buffer zone created by a recent incursion into Russia's Kursk region to alleviate pressure on the eastern front. The forced evacuation and tight curfews in surrounding areas reflect the escalating conflict and the desperate conditions faced by civilians.