Intensified Russian Offensive in Pokrovsk Region
In recent weeks, the situation in the Pokrovsk area of Donetsk Oblast has dramatically changed as Russian forces have breached a defense held for months by Ukrainian troops using kamikaze drones, advancing toward this strategically crucial city. A soldier with the call sign “Vohak” stated to Reuters that despite ongoing attempts by the occupiers to move forward, Ukrainian defenders had effectively repelled enemy attacks until recently, reports 24brussels.
The Russian military has begun to adapt to Ukrainian tactics and is employing new technologies, including fiber-optic drones that can strike Ukrainian positions up to 25 kilometers deep.
However, the losses among the occupying forces remain significant. According to Battalion Commander Serhiy Filimonov from the “Wolves of Da Vinci,” every captured Russian soldier reports a prevailing fear of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that they “see in their nightmares.”
Meanwhile, poorly trained soldiers and convicts are being thrown into battle with inadequate preparation. Reports indicate a lack of proper supplies, with one soldier requesting 50,000 rubles from relatives for a radio.
Despite these challenges, Russia continues to advance. According to DeepState, the aggressor occupied 556 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory in June, with over a quarter of that in the Pokrovsk direction. Filimonov emphasizes that Russia continues to find new victims to “throw into the furnace.”
Ukraine is tasked with countering this offensive using drones, minefields, and well-trained units. However, the adaptation of Russian forces and the difficulty of maintaining logistics under constant drone strikes complicate operations. Although all enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups that infiltrate Pokrovsk have been eliminated, according to official data, even minor successes for Russia could pave the way for deeper advances in the region. According to Reuters, Russian forces are effectively on the doorstep of the city.
Recent Russian successes in the Pokrovsk area since July 1:
It should be noted that the Russian army is making efforts to capture the strategically important town of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast amid attempts to encircle the area and cut it off from logistical support. The occupiers are increasingly succeeding in breaching defenses. DeepState attributes this to a temporary weakening of defense on a particular segment, which allows entry into the city through the settlement of Zvyrovo. Meanwhile, the military identifies deception in reports from commanders as a primary issue in this direction, as they often misrepresent the situation to avoid punishment.
