Civilians in the city of Pokrovsk, a crucial logistical hub in eastern Ukraine, have only two weeks to evacuate as Russian forces continue their advance towards the city. Those in neighboring Myrnohrad must leave within a few days, Ukrainian officials reported today.

Recent days have seen the fiercest battles at the Pokrovsk front, while the Ukrainian military continues operations within Russian territory in the Kursk region.

Russian forces have been advancing towards Pokrovsk for months. Last week, they were just 10 kilometers from the city’s outskirts, according to local authorities.

The head of the city’s military administration, Serhii Dobriyak, reiterated today that civilians must leave as soon as possible. “They have ‘one to two weeks, no more,’” Dobriyak said in an interview with Radio Liberty, when asked about the remaining time for evacuation given the Russian advance. Authorities can evacuate 1,000 people per day, but currently, only 500-600 are leaving daily, he explained. Approximately 53,000 people, including nearly 4,000 children, remain in Pokrovsk and the surrounding settlements, Governor Vadym Filaskin reported on Telegram.

Myrnohrad is located less than 5 km northeast of Pokrovsk, has been under bombardment by Russian artillery for the past three days, said Yuriy Tretiak, who is temporarily in charge of military administration. Battles are occurring less than 6 km from the city, he told Radio Liberty. “If Pokrovsk still has two weeks Myrnohrad only has a few days,” he stressed.

Local administrative services and businesses are already relocating, and shops and pharmacies are closing, Tretiak added.

Filaskin mentioned that movement has been banned in settlements near Pokrovsk, such as Myrnohrad, Selidove, and Novokhronivka. “The situation at the front is very difficult,” he said, noting that the forced relocation of families with children from the Pokrovsk area has already begun.

Earlier today, the Ukrainian General Staff reported 145 battles in the last 24 hours, with 45 of them in the Pokrovsk area.