The Ukrainian National Guard's 1st Corps, also known as the Azov Corps, announced on 12/8 that it had begun taking up defensive positions at the Pokrovsk front in Donetsk province.
"The situation remains complex and volatile. Russian forces are attempting to advance in this direction, despite heavy losses in personnel and equipment. We have planned and implemented measures to stop the enemy in this area. The results will be announced later," the Azov Corps stated.
The area around Pokrovsk, a strategic stronghold controlled by Kyiv in Donetsk province, is currently the most intense front in the conflict.
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Members of the Azov Corps in a photo posted on 5/8. Photo: Azov Corps |
Members of the Azov Corps in a photo posted on 5/8. Photo: Azov Corps
The move comes after intelligence analysis groups linked to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense acknowledged that Russian troops had broken through the defense line north of the Pokrovsk stronghold, entering the residential areas of Kucheriv Yar, Zolotyi Kolodiaz, and Vesele.
Russian units are also intensifying their offensive towards the Dobropillia-Kramatorsk highway. This is a crucial logistics route for the Ukrainian army, frequently used until at least mid-July. The Russian army appears to be attempting to establish a foothold west of the highway to completely cut off this logistics line.
Observers believe this is the deepest advance by the Russian army on the battlefield in a year, potentially leading to a large-scale collapse of the Ukrainian defense line in the area.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged on 12/8 that Russian forces had advanced about 10 km in some locations near the city of Dobropillia, but emphasized that these units did not have heavy military equipment or support vehicles. "Some soldiers have been detected, eliminated, or taken prisoner. We will hunt down the rest and take them down in the near future," he declared.
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Location of Pokrovsk, the Dobropillia-Kramatorsk highway (red) and the defensive line of the Azov Corps (blue). Graphics: DeepState |
Location of Pokrovsk, the Dobropillia-Kramatorsk highway (red) and the defensive line of the Azov Corps (blue). Graphics: DeepState
The Azov Corps was established in April as part of the Ukrainian army's reorganization. The unit is named after the Azov Brigade, whose predecessor was the Azov Battalion, formed in 2014. Azov members participated in some of the fiercest battles of the conflict, including the battle of Mariupol three years ago.
The Azov Corps currently has 5 subordinate brigades and is considered one of the most elite units of the Ukrainian armed forces.
In 2/2024, Ukraine deployed the Azov Brigade to the Avdeevka front to reinforce its defenses against fierce Russian attacks. However, this effort only aimed to hold back Russian forces to facilitate the withdrawal of Ukrainian units from the city a few days later.
Pham Giang (According to AFP, Kyiv Independent)
