The 'Last, Final Battle' For Eastern Ukraine Has Begun

80% of Russian reinforcements are marching on Pokrovsk

The Russian 155th Naval Infantry Brigade. Via Reddit

In late August and early September, the Kremlin rushed tens of thousands of reinforcements into eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast. The goal: to reverse Russian setbacks around the fortress city of Pokrovsk—and build momentum for the final Russian conquest of Donetsk and the entire Donbas region.

“They have prepared a lot of forces and [are] ready for the last, final battle for the rest of Donetsk Oblast,” wrote Kriegsforscher, who flies drones in support of Ukrainian brigades defending Lyman, 50 miles north of Pokrovsk.

That last, final battle has begun. But with a pathetic whimper rather than a victorious roar.