Battles for Pokrovsk: Can Russians be driven out? Military expert explains

Ukraine’s defence forces can hold the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration if the military command makes the right decisions.

This view was expressed by military expert Roman Svitany in comments to 24 Kanal.

In his words, simply increasing the number of Ukrainian troops in Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad will no longer solve the problem, so a military operation is needed.

Svitany believes several full-fledged corps should be directed there, involving security forces.

«Next, either unblock the northern side of Myrnohrad and Pokrovsk, or the southwestern one (taking control of Kotlyne and Udachne). In the current situation, deploying our assault units would be optimal for operations in the northern part. Because a cleanup of Russians in the direction of Dobropillia is under way right now,» he explained.

The expert describes the situation in Pokrovsk as extremely difficult.

«The Russians have at least semi-encircled the Pokrovsk–Myrnohrad agglomeration, and in some areas, it’s already a full operational encirclement. They are entering Myrnohrad from the southeast and trying to push through from the north between it and Rodynske, ” he said.

At the same time, Roman Svitan sceptically assesses the possibility of Russians establishing full control over Pokrovsk by 15 November, as demanded by Vladimir Putin, president of the aggressor state.

«None of the Russian plans they dreamed up for 2025 will be realised. The Russians no longer have the capability to fully capture Donetsk region, not even Pokrovsk or Myrnohrad. We will hold this line,» the expert concluded.