Russian troops cut two roads in Donetsk to push Ukrainian forces from Pokrovsk, Myrnohrad — ISW

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported the information.

“Russian forces recently cut the T-0504 Pokrovsk-Kostyantynivka highway east of Pokrovsk and the T-0406 Pokrovsk-Mezhova highway southwest of Pokrovsk as part of their efforts to envelop Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad,” the statement said.

Geolocation footage released on January 12 indicates that Russian troops have recently advanced east of Myrne and seized positions along a road. 

Analysts believe that a Russian offensive east and west of Pokrovsk could complicate Ukraine's logistics and ability to resupply and redeploy troops to defend Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad.

In addition, the Russian forces are planning to block Ukrainian land lines of communication in Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad to force Ukrainian units to withdraw from these cities in the coming months.

The Russian military command likely aims to avoid heavy infantry assaults through the urban areas of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad. It is estimated that blocking the communication lines would increase the chances of Ukrainian forces retreating from these cities, allowing Russian troops to bypass costly urban combat operations to capture them.

• Since the start of January 13, the occupying Russian army has launched 155 attacks on Ukrainian Defense Forces positions, including 74 in the Pokrovsk direction, where the situation remains the most challenging.