Intensifying Russian Offensives in Pokrovsk Direction
On June 26, 2025, heavy fighting continued in the Pokrovsk direction as Russian forces engaged in relentless assaults to breach the administrative border of the Dnipropetrovsk region. Commander of the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade’s drone battalion, Andriy Nazarenko, reported ongoing attacks from morning until night, reiterating the pressure faced by Ukrainian defenses, 24brussels.
Ukrainian defenders are making every effort to halt the advance of occupying forces. The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) are striking at the invaders, yet Russian troops continue to bolster their numbers.
Nazarenko described the tactics employed by Russian forces in the Pokrovsk direction, stating that the occupiers either attack with large infantry numbers (referred to as “meat assaults”) or attempt to penetrate the Dnipropetrovsk territory using motorcycles. However, Ukrainian forces are effectively neutralizing the assailants before they can reach their positions.
“Although, frankly speaking, in some approaches, the enemy has seen certain successes,” noted Nazarenko.
He further added that during their offensive operations, occupying forces are utilizing a substantial number of FPV drones.
Previously, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denied reports of a Russian incursion into the Dnipropetrovsk region. Ukrainian military officer Stanislav Bunyatov emphasized that Dnipropetrovsk has a lower density of populated areas compared to Donetsk, suggesting that Russian forces might advance more quickly in this region.
