Mass, known by his nickname “Moon Fish” (moon fish), had the rank of colonel (equivalent to lieutenant colonel), and was considered one of the most senior pilots in the Ukrainian Air Force. He was one of the few pilots trained in the operation of the F-16s – which arrived in Ukraine after very long months of waiting.
On Monday, Zelensky confirmed that the F-16s, recently supplied to Ukraine, took part in the interception of Russia’s massive attack. As part of the attack, the Russian army launched more than 100 missiles and more than 100 Iranian drones. Within a day, Russia launched another attack, with more than 60 drones. This unusual incident highlights the danger and lack of coordination during the interception of a massive air strike.
The Russian army continues to advance rapidly and aggressively in eastern Ukraine, moving further and further towards the strategic city of Pokrovsk (Krasnoyarmyrsk) in the Donetsk region. In the last day, the Russian army reached a distance of only 13 km from the outskirts of the city, which is considered an important logistics center in the region.
4/ Currently, only two places in the Donbas serve this vital function – Pokrovsk and Kramatorsk
The significance of Pokrovsk extends beyond its rail connections – it is also located at a key road juncture, serving a similar role in the transportation and distribution of supplies pic.twitter.com/3u9DQCO9if
— Tatarigami_UA (@Tatarigami_UA) August 27, 2024
Various sources in Ukraine warn that the fall of the city of Pokrovsk to the Russians could bring about a more extensive loss of territory in the region. This is an important point on the map in terms of the Ukrainian defense forces, which supports and supplies the Ukrainian forces in a large field cell in the region. “Now, only Pokrovsk and Kramatorsk fulfill this need in the region, and the city’s importance goes beyond its railway lines. It is a major junction,” Ukrainian military blogger Tatarigami wrote.