During a visit to command posts near the stronghold of Pokrovsk in Donetsk province on 2/8, Ukrainian commander Oleksandr Syrsky described the area as one of the most challenging fronts in the ongoing war, along with Dobropillia and Novopavlivka.
"The enemy is intensifying efforts to capture key settlements around Pokrovsk, probing our defenses for weaknesses, and launching fierce attacks on several axes," Syrsky said.
"Russian forces are also employing 'all-round infiltration' tactics and increasing sabotage activities in the rear," he added, referring to the deployment of small units to penetrate deep into the city and cause disruption from within.
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Soldiers of the 155th Naval Infantry Brigade of Russia during combat training in April. Photo: RIA Novosti |
Soldiers of the 155th Naval Infantry Brigade of Russia during combat training in April. Photo: RIA Novosti
Syrsky said Russian forces are attempting to advance on Pokrovsk using this combined encirclement and infiltration strategy, but have not yet succeeded. Ukrainian defenders in the city are repelling sabotage groups and small infantry units trying to infiltrate.
To counter these tactics, the Ukrainian army has formed and deployed specialized anti-sabotage units. Commanders at the front are also working to build and reinforce fortifications, establish additional barriers, and create tunnels to protect against unmanned aerial vehicles, according to Syrsky.
Pokrovsk is a vital logistics hub and one of Ukraine's main strongholds in the eastern Donetsk province. If Russia were to capture Pokrovsk, it would significantly weaken Ukraine's defensive lines and supply capabilities in Donetsk, bringing them closer to their goal of controlling the entire province.
DeepState, an intelligence analysis group linked to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, reported on 22/7 that Russian soldiers had infiltrated Pokrovsk, forcing defenders to act quickly to prevent the situation from "becoming a disaster".
Video posted on social media that same day showed a Ukrainian military vehicle driving into a Russian ambush at the intersection of Shevchenko and Zakhystnykiv Ukrayiny streets in central Pokrovsk. At least one Ukrainian soldier was reportedly shot.
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Situation at the Pokrovsk front. Graphic: Kyiv Independent |
Situation at the Pokrovsk front. Graphic: Kyiv Independent
On 27/7, the Ukrainian military acknowledged that Russian forces had made advances between Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka.
According to Ukrainian media, Russia is concentrating a significant portion of its forces near Pokrovsk, and the number of attacks on this front has increased sharply in recent weeks as Moscow attempts to expand the front line by breaking through to the neighboring Dnipropetrovsk province.
In June, Syrsky reported that Russia had deployed approximately 110,000 troops near Pokrovsk.
Pham Giang (Kyiv Independent)
