Ukrainian Forces Brace for Intense Defensive Battle in Pokrovsk: 5 Key Points

Ukrainian Forces Brace for Intense Defensive Battle– Ukrainian forces are facing a critical situation near Pokrovsk as Russian troops attempt to encircle the city. The Ukrainian military is determined to hold their positions, but this strategy is leading to significant losses. Analysts warn that Pokrovsk could become another Bakhmut, with the city being defended at all costs, resulting in heavy casualties for both sides.

CONTENTS: Ukrainian Forces Brace for Intense Defensive Battle

• Ukrainian officer describes situation as critical.
• Ukrainian officer criticizes current strategy as reckless.
• Ukrainian troops withdraw from Nevelske to prevent encirclement.
• Russian troops advancing towards Kurakhove, Ukraine.
• Russian forces advancing on Pokrovsk from multiple directions.
• Russian capture of Kurakhove could threaten Pokrovsk.

A Ukrainian military officer near the front line south of Pokrovsk described the situation as critical in an interview with the BBC. Russia’s current strategy seems to focus on encircling the city, a key transportation hub in the region.

The officer, who remained anonymous, noted that his leadership is determined to hold their positions at all costs, which is leading to significant losses in both troops and resources. This tactic, he explained, has resulted in the creation of several “cauldrons” — areas surrounded by Russian forces — with one such area located south of Pokrovsk, between Nevelske, Hirnyk, and Krasnohorivka.

The officer questioned the decision to maintain positions near Nevelske while losing ground in Hirnyk, suggesting it would be more prudent to withdraw to Hirnyk to minimize resource losses and focus on defending that area. He criticized the current strategy as reckless given the enemy’s superior numbers and resources.

According to him, the situation in the Donetsk region resembles a squid, with numerous “tentacles” requiring extensive defense. This demands more positions and observation posts to counter the Russian assaults from multiple directions. The officer argued that, instead of retreating to shorten the defensive line, brigades are being decimated by fighting across the entire perimeter of the “cauldron” because the primary focus for generals is simply holding positions.

Roman Pohorily, an analyst and co-founder of the Deep State map that tracks frontline developments in Ukraine, reports that Ukrainian troops have recently withdrawn from the village of Nevelske to prevent encirclement. While this withdrawal reduces the immediate risk of being trapped, the frontline officer believes that this move should have occurred much earlier. He contends that lives and resources have been squandered on holding positions that were ultimately untenable.

Russian troops are advancing towards Kurakhove, a city located 35 km (21 miles) south of Pokrovsk. Ukrainian forces in the area have confirmed that fighting has recently intensified. This escalation is also evident in the daily briefings from Ukraine’s General Staff, which reported 32 clashes in the Pokrovsk area and 48 in the Kurakhove sector on Thursday.

Major Serhiy Tsekhotsky of the 59th Brigade commented that the Russians are working to strengthen their flanks to move closer to Pokrovsk, aiming to partially encircle the city and then begin its destruction.

Lt. Col. Oleh Demyanenko, who leads a tank battalion in the 110th Brigade, reports that Russian forces are now not only launching direct assaults on Pokrovsk but also pushing along the flanks, particularly the southern flank towards Kurakhove. He notes that the Russians are primarily focusing their efforts on this southern direction.

According to soldiers, the Russians are employing small, disjointed groups in their attacks, often without armored support. Major Serhiy Tsekhotsky describes the tactic as sending two or three individuals to a specific point in the field, followed by additional groups until they have 10-15 people, who then attempt to launch an attack.

Nazar Voytenkov from the 33rd Brigade explains that the flat terrain in the Kurakhove area makes it difficult to both defend and advance. The brigade frequently shells the fields, causing Russian forces to lose vehicles and personnel. Despite these challenges, Voytenkov asserts that his brigade is effectively maintaining its position on the front line.

Kurakhove is connected to Pokrovsk via roads crucial for troop and supply movement on the front line. Analyst Roman Pohorily suggests that if the Russians capture Kurakhove, they could use it as a new vantage point to attack Pokrovsk from a different direction.

Another potential strategy, Pohorily notes, could be an assault on Ukrainian positions in Vuhledar from behind. Vuhledar, located in the southern part of the Donbas front, has been a target for Russian forces since the start of their full-scale invasion.

The frontline officer warns that past strategic errors have left only one viable option to defend Pokrovsk and prevent the Russians from taking the entire Donetsk region: to transform Pokrovsk into a second Bakhmut. This refers to the city in eastern Ukraine that Kyiv defended for almost a year before retreating, leaving it in ruins. The officer anticipates that the Russians will commit significant numbers of troops and casualties in such an effort.