Russian army tries to encircle Pokrovsk from two sides as Ukraine holds back enemy near Dobropillia

This was reported by Viktor Trehubov, spokesperson for the “Dnipro” Operational-Strategic Group of Forces, as quoted by Ukrinform.

“Fighting around Pokrovsk is ongoing. The enemy is trying to surround the city from two directions: from the north and southeast, and simultaneously from the south and southwest,” he said, adding that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are focused on destroying the enemy and repelling all attacks.

“Given the numerical advantage the enemy has there, this is not easy,” Trehubov noted.

Meanwhile, in the Dobropillia direction, the Defense Forces have deployed reserves to hold back the Russian army.
“Work is underway to encircle, push out, and destroy them. Competent forces are involved, although, in my opinion, the very fact that such a situation has arisen is rather unpleasant,” the spokesperson explained.

He also stressed that the situation is gradually shifting in Ukraine’s favor, though progress is not fast enough. According to him, the occupiers are using the small-group tactics previously seen in the Kupiansk sector.

“They amassed infantry behind the first line and, when a certain number had gathered, moved them forward. Now this group is already operating behind our first line. The task is to destroy it,” Trehubov added.

• On August 9, DeepState reported that Russian troops in Donetsk region were assaulting Dobropillia using forces from the 132nd Separate Motor Rifle Brigade, most of whose personnel are residents of temporarily occupied areas of Donetsk region and migrants from Central Asia.
• On August 12, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi ordered additional forces and equipment to be sent to neutralize sabotage groups in the Pokrovsk sector.
• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said military briefings had been presented on the situation at the front, including in the Dobropillia area and the Pokrovsk sector.
• Deputy commander of the 3rd Assault Brigade Maksym Zhorin, commenting on the escalation in the Dobropillia area, said that the situation in the Pokrovsk sector is far from being under control.