Russia concentrates 120,000 troops in Pokrovsk-Kurakhove sector

Dmytro Zhmailo, co-founder and executive director of the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Center, shared this on Espreso TV.

“Fortunately, reports of the frontline collapsing are not true. Our troops are under control, but Russia has a significant numerical advantage. For instance, in the south - covering Crimea, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia - there are around 200,000 Russian troops working to strengthen their positions. In the Pokrovsk-Kurakhove sector, they’ve gathered about 120,000 troops, including reserves. Although our artillery situation has improved and we’re getting closer to matching their numbers - now about one to two - it’s still very challenging to target Russian infantry, and we’re feeling the shortage of our own infantry units,” he said.

At the same time, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are actively defending their positions. As they retreat, they’re inflicting heavy losses on the enemy, Zhmailo noted.

“In very tough conditions, Ukrainian forces are working hard to hold the line. Reserves are being moved to the most critical areas. For instance, the 14th regiment of unmanned systems forces is reinforcing Toretsk. Some units from the 128th Brigade and the Presidential Brigade are heading to the area north of the Kurakhove Reservoir. The situation is still extremely challenging. The Russians are trying to break through to the H15 highway to cut off the main supply line for Ukrainian troops in Kurakhove. In Selydove, the Russian army is trying to level the front line to launch an offensive on the city of Pokrovsk,” the military expert explained.

• Over the past day, on October 29, 175 combat clashes were recorded at the front. Russia attacks most actively in the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove directions.