Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad: Expert explains why Putin will spare nothing to seize them
Capturing Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad is a political goal for Putin.
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Pokrovsk / © Associated Press
The Russian leadership will spare no effort to seize Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad in Donetsk region. Currently, this section of the front line sees the highest concentration of both Ukrainian troops and Russian forces.
This was stated by Pavlo Lakiichuk, Head of Military Programs at the Center for Global Studies “Strategy XXI,” on the FREEDОМ TV channel.
According to the expert, the situation in the Pokrovsk–Myrnohrad area is extremely complex and ambiguous: The Russians continue attempts to penetrate the cities with small assault groups. Around the Pokrovsk–Myrnohrad agglomeration, the concentration of drones is five times higher than in other hot spots of the front.
Lakiichuk emphasizes that the Russians are currently imposing their tactics on the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The success of these tactics largely depends on who is better informed about the battlefield situation.
“The tactic used by Russian forces involves combat operations by small but well-coordinated groups with close inter-unit cooperation. The outcome depends significantly on who is better informed about the battlefield situation,” he said.
The expert is convinced that the outcome of the battle for Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad is now more of a political matter for president Putin. Meanwhile, for Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov, victory or defeat in this battle could be a matter of survival.
“The Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration is now a political goal for Putin. It’s also a question of survival for Gerasimov, who promised the dictator the capture and encirclement of Pokrovsk — none of which has happened so far. That’s why Gerasimov will throw all available forces at Pokrovsk and simultaneously try to stretch our defences, depriving us of operational reserves that could turn the tide on this key section of the front,” Lakiichuk said.
He added that the current situation in Pokrovsk is reminiscent of the situation near Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region. However, he noted that the latter is not as severe.