Russian troops slowly advance in Pokrovsk sector, deploy new reserves there. Serhiy Zgurets' column

Ukrainian Defense Forces strike at Russian military facilities in occupied Crimea

It is worth starting with the fact that today the occupied Crimea was attacked by drones and ATACMS tactical missiles. There is already a video filmed by local residents. This video shows air raid alarms, shooting, and powerful explosions. The main target was most likely the Black Sea Fleet's 13th ship repair plant in Sevastopol. This plant was already attacked by Storm Shadow missiles last September, which destroyed a submarine and a large Russian Federation landing ship in the docks. There is also a possibility that the nighttime attack with ATACMS also targeted Russian air defense systems in Crimea, which have been systematically destroyed by the Ukrainian Defense Forces with ATACAM missiles and Ukrainian weapons for a long time. It is possible that one S-400 air defense system or its components came under attack. However, we should wait for official reports from the Ukrainian General Staff.

The Russian troops' losses in artillery and vehicles are sharply increasing

Last month was quite interesting in terms of Russian losses. The occupying Russian army lost the most artillery systems last month, and this is primarily the result of Ukrainian counter-battery operations, on the one hand, and on the other hand, the Russians have started to increase the number of towed artillery, not self-propelled artillery, which is increasingly coming under attack. Over the past month, the Ukrainian forces destroyed more than 1,500 artillery systems. These are enormous Russian losses and at the same time the effective work of Ukrainian artillery and drone operators.

                                                                Russian artillery system losses in July 2024

The second indicator is the Russian significant losses in automotive vehicles. Against the backdrop of decreasing losses of armored personnel carriers and tanks, which the Russians are afraid to use in combat. Therefore, they have relied on automotive vehicles, which are used to bring Russian troops to the contact line and for logistical tasks. According to these figures, we have more than 2,000 destroyed vehicles for various purposes. This shows that there are results of the work of drones and artillery. But in any case, we also remember that the Russian forces still have a significant advantage in manpower and aviation. They are trying to use it in various areas.

                                                                         Russian automotive losses in July 2024

The Russians are making slow progress in the Pokrovsk direction and are deploying additional reserves there

The Pokrovsk and Toretsk directions should be perceived as a pair. The Russian Center group of troops, which includes two armies, a tank division, the First Army Corps, and a number of military units, is operating here. Half of all the clashes in the Pokrovsk direction took place over the past week and over the past day. In particular, there were more than 50 combat engagements over the past day. This is an extremely high intensity. After capturing Avdiivka and Ocheretyne, the Russian military is trying to push Ukrainian defenses further. The main goal of the Russian offensive in the Pokrovsk direction is to advance as far west as possible to Myrnohrad and Pokrovsk. These two settlements are located quite close to each other. The Russians moved its operational reserves in the same direction. In particular, the 27th Motorized Rifle Division and regiments of this division. This allowed the Russians to slightly increase the pace of advance. The Russians are advancing from Progress, which was captured, along the railroad to the west to Pokrovsk. Over the past couple of days, the Russians captured Tymofiivka, located next to Progress. Russian attacks on Ivanivka and occupied Vesele are ongoing. Maps show that Ukrainian Defense Forces have withdrawn from this settlement and are making their way towards Zhelanne along the railroad towards Novohrodivka and further to Pokrovsk.

                                                                       Map of hostilities in the Pokrovsk direction as of August 2

The Russian military also tried to move from Prohres and Ocheretyne toward Vozdvyzhenka. This settlement is located near the rocky road. There are risks there, but the Russians were stopped near Vozdvyzhenka and are now looking for ways to bypass it. I hope that we will have measures and ways to prevent any Russian troops' actions in this area. However, we understand that the area is extremely difficult and the intensity of hostilities there will be very active for a long time.

Lyman direction: the Russians increase FPV drones use and protect their equipment

Bohdan, a serviceman with the 60th Separate Mechanized Brigade, said that they have been observing the Russian troops preparing for an assault in the Lyman direction for a week. According to him, the Russian military have repeatedly conducted offensives, but suffered heavy losses in manpower and equipment. Also, according to Bohdan, the occupants are using FPV drones in large numbers. In particular, for remote mining. He added that the occupying Russian forces hardly ever use the equipment for assault operations in the Lyman direction. They mostly try to advance with infantry, but suffer huge losses. Bohdan also said that there is an increase in the intensity of the Russian invaders' use of various types of drones.

According to him, in this way the Russians are trying to reduce the use of infantry for offensive and assault operations. That is, they have a large number of unmanned systems and are trying to use them along the entire contact line. The entire contact line in the Lyman direction is under constant fire control of Russian unmanned systems.

                                                                         Map of hostilities in the Lyman direction as of August 2

Bohdan also spoke about changes in the work of enemy artillery. Now the Russian artillery is working more precisely. Such changes have been observed recently. The number of artillery pieces has not decreased, but the number of drones is actively increasing. Bohdan noted that the occupants have not reduced the number of artillery attacks. He said that the enemy is also using guided bombs on their frontline. They are using guided bombs not only at the positions where Ukrainian artillery is concentrated, but also at those where there may even be anti-tank weapons. The Russians do not spare the guided bombs and use them quite actively.

Fortifications, electronic warfare, and air defense systems are key factors for successful defense

Today, the defense line must be highly mobile. According to Bohdan, the most important part of defense is fortifications and defensive structures. A sufficient number of electronic warfare and air defense systems is also an equally important element of successful defense. Bohdan emphasized that counter-battery warfare is also an important factor in successful defense. Now the occupiers are trying to conduct their offensive operations with an advantage in personnel and weapons. The same thing happened before. Speaking about the training of the Russian personnel, Bohdan noted that they did not observe any incredible training of the mobilized. However, they could observe different levels of training throughout the time. Bohdan said that there were occupiers who did not understand where they were. There were also those who were well trained and prepared.