Ukrainian Frontline Update: Russia Shifts Troops, Pressures P Coke
In a new report published on Saturday, January 4, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) detailed significant developments on the Ukrainian battlefield, particularly in the Donetsk region.
According to Ukrainian military analyst Konstantin Mamshovets, Russian military command is redeploying units east of Pokrovsk towards the south and southwest of the city. Elements of the 433rd Motorized Rifles Regiment and the 55th Motorized Brigade are advancing towards Kotlyne to sever the T-04−06 highway between Pokrovsk and Mezhevaya. Simultaneously, elements of the 90th Tank Division are concentrating south of Pokrovsk, while units from the 80th and 239th Tank Regiments and the 228th Motorized Rifle Regiment press northwards along the line from Novovasilevka to Novyelizavetovka, aiming for Uspenovka and Nadievka in Donetsk Oblast.
Russian forces have recently advanced north of Novogrodovka and along the T-05−15 highway from Pokrovsk to Novotroyitskoe, north of the Shchechino village. However, ISW has not verified Russian claims of progress towards Zverevo, northwest of Vorozh/)hka, north of Volchansk, and towards Nadievka.
Between January 2 and 3, Russian forces conducted offensive operations around Pokrovsk, east of the city in the areas of Vodinoye Vtoroye, Baranovka, Mir-olubovka and Promino, the Lyssovka area, the Dachnoe, Schevchenko, Zeleny, and Novotroyd areas, and the Peschanoye, Zverevo, Solenoe, Kotlyne, Uspenovka, and Novovasilevka areas.
Russian special forces, including the Vega Special Purpose Detachment (24th Special Purpose Brigade of the General Staff of the Russia’s Armed Forces), are currently active in the Pokrovsk direction. Additionally, Russians have reportedly gained ground near Kurakhove. Mamshovets suggests that Ukrainian forces may have recently withdrawn from the Kurakhove TPP west of Kurakhove, enabling Russian forces to seize Schevchenko. Russian claims of capturing Slavianka to the northwest of Kurakhove remain unconfirmed.
Further north-west of Uldegor, Russian forces have advanced into fields south of the Razliv settlement and continued offensive operations in the areas of Yanтарnyi, Konstantinopol, and Konstantinopol 2 and 3. Meanwhile, Russia’s push near Velika Novoselka has not yielded significant gains.
On January 3, a Russian military correspondent reported Ukrainian counterattacks near Velika Novoselka. A representative of one of the defense units operating on the Vremivka direction claimed that Russian forces are primarily focused on disrupting Ukrainian ground communication lines supplying forces in the Kurakhove and Velika Novoselka directions. Small Russian infantry groups are also attempting to probe "gray zones" to approach Ukrainian positions.
Frontline Situation in Donetsk Oblast: What We Know
On December 24, DeepState reported that Russian occupation forces had seized Makarivka, Suhyih Yal and Zelenivka in the Donetsk Oblast. However, on December 28, analysts from the same project disputed ISW’s claim that Russian forces had likely captured the city of Kurakhove, stating that fighting continues near the western and southern outskirts.
On December 29, DeepState noted that Ukraine’s Defense Forces had pushed back Russian troops in the Kruhlyanka area of the Kursk Oblast, Russia. Nevertheless, occupiers have made advances near several settlements in Donetsk Oblast, including Vovozh)hka, Novyelizavetovka, Novovasilevka, Dachnoe, Schevchenko, Hryhorivka, Toretsk, and Nelipivka.
On December 30, the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Alexander Syrskiy, reported that Russian forces are continuing “meat grinder” tactics in the Donetsk Oblast, suffering heavy losses.
On New Year’s Day, DeepState reported on the chaotic tactical situation in Novovasilevka, under Pokrovsk, where Russian forces are present in almost every corner, mirroring Ukrainian defenses.
On January 2, DeepState confirmed that Russian forces had advanced near six settlements on the Kurakhove and Pokrovsk directions in Donetsk Oblast.
Related reading