Russian gains near Pokrovsk put civilians in line of fire.

Before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Pokrovsk was home to 60,00 residents.

Now, the city is under mandatory evacuation as Russian forces advance in Donetsk Oblast.

The Kyiv Independent's Francis Farrell and Olena Zashko visited Pokrovsk and joined volunteers evacuating civilians from neighboring Selydove, stranded due to Russia's rapid advance.