Russian forces shift combat tactics in Pokrovsk offensive

On the Pokrovsk direction, our defenders stopped 43 assault actions by the aggressor in the areas of the settlements of Pankivka, Chervonyi Lyman, Rodynske, Myrnohrad, Novoekonomichne, Pokrovsk, Kotlyne, Udachne, Molodetske, Novoserhiivka and toward Filiia.

It is worth noting that over the past two weeks, Russian forces have changed their combat tactics on the Pokrovsk direction of the front in the Donetsk region. Specifically, this involves the widespread use of armored vehicles, which was not the case before.

Several factors influence this. The first is difficult weather conditions, which complicate the detection of heavy armored vehicle accumulation sites and, accordingly, movement routes. And most importantly - the ability to strike vehicles with FPV drones. The second factor is political.

"The Russians are in a time crunch. The Russian Federation found itself in a situation where the loud statements of both the head of the Russian General Staff, Gerasimov, and the Russian dictator himself about the "capture" of Pokrovsk were nothing more than premature claims. And the whole world once again had the opportunity to see with their own eyes that the Russian side's statements about "significant tactical successes" do not correspond to reality."

According to the Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, Russian forces control only half of Pokrovsk and cannot freely enter the city due to the work of Ukrainian drones.

According to the Commander-in-Chief, despite Russia's loud claims about the alleged capture of Pokrovsk, the real situation is quite different. Russian military forces have failed to take the city completely under control. 

At this time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces control approximately 16 square kilometers of Pokrovsk's residential development.

For context: the total area of the city's development is approximately 29 square kilometers. That is, more than half of the city is under the stable control of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. And most importantly, despite all the efforts of Russian forces to intensify breakthrough attempts using heavy armored vehicles, the Defense Forces are providing more than an adequate response.

All approaches to the settlement are under constant surveillance and strikes by Ukrainian drones. Therefore, the invaders cannot move safely around the city.

Russian forces on the Pokrovsk direction are suffering enormous losses - both in manpower and equipment.

In recent days, the following were destroyed: two units of heavy armored vehicles, two tanks, an Osa anti-aircraft missile system, an infantry fighting vehicle, and military transport with ammunition. In addition, drones of the Defense Forces of Ukraine hit another five tanks and six infantry fighting vehicles, four passenger cars. In other words, an assault column of Russian forces was destroyed.

"Last week, the Ukrainian Defense Forces destroyed at least three assault columns, which consisted of units of the 76th Airborne Division, transferred this time to the Donetsk region from the Zaporizhzhia direction."

Currently, the Russian command is transferring its most combat-capable units not only from the Sumy direction, but also from the Zaporizhzhia direction to the Pokrovsk section of the front.

The Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, stated in an interview with Suspilne that Pokrovsk is the direction of the enemy's main strike.

"This is purely military planning, don't look for any hidden agenda here," Budanov emphasized. 

At this time, Russia's main efforts are focused on attempts to break through to the area of the settlement of Hryshyne with the threat of taking direct control of Defense Forces of Ukraine locations, as well as the Pokrovsk - Pavlohrad highway.

According to Reserve Colonel of the Ukrainian Naval Forces Vladyslav Selezniov, the key problem for the Ukrainian side is becoming not the combat capability of units, but logistics.

"I don't think that in the near future we will be able not only to destroy enemy groups infiltrating Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, but also to maintain stable defensive lines due to the impossibility of full logistical support," he noted.

According to the expert, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are currently implementing a maneuvering defense: units are gradually being withdrawn from urban areas, but are acting in an organized manner, maintaining control and inflicting losses on the enemy.

Special units of the Main Intelligence Directorate and Special Operations Forces are conducting strike-and-search operations aimed at destroying both small assault groups of the enemy and expanding logistics to prevent further breakthroughs by Russian forces directly to the main locations of Ukrainian defenders.

I would like to remind you that Russian troops continue active offensive operations in the Pokrovsk area of Donetsk region. The enemy is exerting pressure from several directions at once. Russians are trying to infiltrate in small groups past the first line of defense of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, but are suffering heavy losses in personnel.

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About the author. Dmytro Sniehyriov, military expert.

The editorial staff does not always share the opinions expressed by blog authors.