Russian troops attempt to fully sever Pokrovsk-Kostiantynivka highway

He shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

“During the winter offensive campaign, the Russians deployed huge forces. Moreover, they had one combined arms army in their reserve, which they kept for assault battles in the direction of Pokrovsk. They had to use it earlier to prepare for the offensive. The Ukrainian defense forces, realizing that the Russians' enthusiasm had waned and that they did not have time to regroup, launched counterattacks that had not been seen for many weeks,” he said.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces launched an offensive in the south, clearing Dachenske of Russian troops. The only area where Russian forces are making gains is east of Myrnohrad, where they are attempting to cut the Pokrovsk-Kostiantynivka road to advance on Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad from the east. However, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are working to stabilize the situation, Zhmailo stated.

“Logistics on the Ukrainian side will be complicated, but there are still roads to the west and north of Pokrovsk, as well as smaller roads with rural and local importance. As for the eastern part of Myrnohrad, I'm not sure that the Russians will move there. They may try to advance to Kostiantynivka. The occupiers have reported several times that they have taken control of Toretsk, but the Ukrainian Defense Forces are holding the line in the western part of the city. It is important to halt the enemy in the ruins of these cities,” he noted.

He stated that the primary challenge and priority for Ukraine in 2025 is recruitment and encouraging voluntary enlistment in the army.

“The units are working without rotation and are holding the front line to the limit of their capabilities. Therefore, more work with the personnel is needed, even with the mobilized ones there are specific problems. When a soldier is armed, has artillery and shells, but is not morally ready to perform tasks, it is a huge problem,” Zhmailo summarized.

• Co-founder and analyst of the DeepState project Ruslan Mykula noted that in some areas of the front, including the Pokrovsk sector, the Russian army is losing the initiative.