Urban battles rage in Pokrovsk: Three Russian armies advance simultaneously

Urban battles are underway in Pokrovsk, Donetsk region, with groups of Russian troops in built-up areas. Using their numerical superiority in troops and equipment, Russian units have managed to slip into the city and take positions in multiple neighborhoods. Three Russian armies are currently attacking the Pokrovsk sector simultaneously.

The situation was described by Pavlo Lakiychuk, Head of Security Programs at the Strategy XXI Centre for Global Studies, in comments to Novyny.LIVE, as well as by the 7th Air Assault Corps via Telegram.

What is happening in Pokrovsk and on that axis?

According to Lakiychuk, Russian forces initially attempted to encircle Pokrovsk, the primary mission of Russia’s 51st Army. When they failed, they shifted tactics, acting in two directions.

«They decided to act in two directions: break through toward northern Druzhkivka — that „finger“ that Ukraine’s Defense Forces are now eliminating — and at the same time try to encircle the Pokrovsk–Myrnohrad urban area. They failed to do that here. Meanwhile, on the south, on the southwest of their grouping, they were waiting for the result of this,» the expert said.

According to him, Russia hoped to form a «ring» around Ukrainian defenders in Pokrovsk, forcing Ukraine to redeploy troops to break the encirclement — and risk a wider collapse of the frontline.

«They failed to do this in the north; we transferred additional reserves. Moreover, that Dobropillia „finger“ is gradually being eliminated,» Lakiychuk noted.

Therefore, Russian military command decided not to wait for the encirclement of the city but to return to frontal assaults. In fact, three enemy armies are now advancing on the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration, but these assaults are carried out using infiltration tactics.

«Why infiltration? Because the Russians take into account the features of our defense in their tactics—the sparse defense, with separate pockets of resistance, between which groups of 2-3-4 Russian invaders infiltrate into the rear, try to dig in in buildings, and thus it turns out that the Russians appear behind our defense. Yes, the tactic is quite effective,» the expert explains.

He says that numerical superiority also helps the occupiers. Thus, over the past month, the enemy grouping was significantly reinforced with manpower.

«Urban combat is now taking place directly in the city built-up areas. How will it develop? This is very dangerous. The point is that the probability of enveloping our forces holding the defense remains. And in this situation, that is the most dangerous,» Lakiychuk stresses.

Statement from the 7th Air Assault Corps on Pokrovsk

«Urban combat continues in Pokrovsk, where Russian groups, using their numerical superiority, managed to infiltrate the city and mass in various areas, ” the Corps said.

Defenders of Pokrovsk are actively countering Russian invaders in the city. The day before, Ukrainian defense was reinforced with new units. In particular—with assault troops, artillery, drone crews, and other components of the Defense Forces. Ukrainian defenders are increasing the use of anti-aircraft drones and net launchers against enemy «Mavics.» Additionally, fighters are remotely mining the occupiers' infiltration routes.

Over October 25-26 in Pokrovsk, Ukrainian defenders eliminated about 40 Russian fighters.

«The occupiers who entered the city do not try to consolidate but intend to push further north. This way, the enemy wants to disperse our defense forces and block land logistics corridors to the city. Therefore, there is currently no full control over any of Pokrovsk’s districts,» the 7th Air Assault Corps said.

They also report Russian forces are observing troop movements in Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, disrupting rotations and delaying logistics. Supplies are being delivered using both aerial and ground drones.

Russian forces are conducting large-scale assault operations along the entire defense line of the 7th Air Assault Corps, aiming to break Ukrainian defenses, push the front line closer to Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, and gradually seize full control of residential areas in both cities.

Overall, along the entire defense strip of the 7th Air Assault Corps over October 25-26, the Russian occupiers conducted 42 attacks, but failed to achieve any objectives. Ukrainian defenders eliminated 64 enemy fighters, four units of armored vehicles, two units of automotive equipment, and six motorcycles.