Покровск

Russian Forces Shell City, Attempting Flanking Move

Russian troops have intensified their shelling of a key industrial city, while also attempting to encircle it from the flanks. According to the commander of the 24th separate special purpose battalion "Aidar", Stanislav "Osman" Buny átov, Russia is redirecting reserves southwest of the city to bypass it and disrupt the supply chain of Ukrainian forces.

"Obviously, the enemy won’t attempt a direct assault on the city," Buny átov stated. "They’re moving reserves southwest to envelope the city and cut off one of its main logistic routes."

Should Russia succeed in this maneuver, the most likely strategy would involve entering the city from the Shchechenko settlement, he added.

Background on the Push Towards the City

Russia’s army first approached the eastern outskirts of this strategic city during the late summer. To seize it, the Kremlin focused three field armies in the region. Despite early predictions of a major offensive in September, such an operation did not materialize.

Ukrainian forces managed to stall the enemy’s advance towards the city and its sister city of Mirnohrad, securing a hold around 8-10 km away, at the line of settlements Lyssivka – Suhistory Yar – Luck – Mirnolyubivka.

Western media reports suggest that Ukrainian forces are preparing to welcome the incoming Russian troops. For more on this story, read our exclusive coverage here.

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Ukraine‘s Defense Forces Hold Ground as Russia Tries to Encircle Pokrovsk

Ukraine’s Defense Forces are engaged in intense combat with Russian occupying forces on the Pokrovsk front, with both sides vying for control of strategic towns in the Donbas region. Russia is attempting to encircle Pokrovsk, a critical city in the Donetsk region, according to General Lieutenant Igor Romanenko.

"The enemy has been unable to seize Pokrovsk head-on, so they’re switching tactics and moving in sequence," Romanenko told FREEДOM TV in a recent interview. "After capturing U akkor and Kurakhove, they’re now focusing their efforts on Pokrovsk, aiming to surround the city."

Russia’s strategy is to encircle Pokrovsk, a tactic they’ve employed frequently in the past three years of full-scale war. This approach allows the invaders to avoid costly frontal assaults and urban battles, instead targeting the city’s flanks.

"Ukraine’s forces are resisting, but they’re outnumbered and outgunned," Romanenko explained. "In some areas, our troops are forced to withdraw to prevent being encircled. Despite their numerical superiority and vast resources, Russian forces are still suffering significant losses."

Meanwhile, in nearby Kurakhove, Ukrainian forces are fighting to prevent Russian troops from settling in the city. According to the DeepState project, Russian soldiers are infiltrating in small groups and trying to establish footholds, reaching as far as the Kurakhove Thermal Power Plant.

Despite these advances, Russia’s overall campaign has resulted in massive casualties. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that, since the start of 2024, Russia has lost over 421,000 personnel in combat, with total losses since the invasion in February 2022 surpassing 785,000.

Related News:

• Ukrainian Armed Forces Hold Firm Against Russian Attempts to Seize Kurakhove
• Russian Casualties in Ukraine Top 421,000 Since January, Reports General Staff

The conflict in Ukraine continues to unfold, with both sides showing no signs of backing down. Stay tuned for more updates on the situation on the ground.

All of Pokrovsk Suddenly Plunged into Darkness; Power Restoration Timeline Unknown

In an unexpected turn of events, the entire city of Pokrovsk has been left without power, according to a recent statement. The cause of this sudden blackout is currently under investigation by the local energy authorities.

The sudden disappearance of electricity has left residents in the dark, both literally and figuratively. The timeframe for the restoration of power remains uncertain, with local administrators warning that it could take some time before lights flicker back on.

This unexpected power outage has thrown a wrench into the daily routines of Pokrovsk residents, highlighting the importance of electricity in our modern lives. As the investigation into the cause of the blackout continues, officials urge residents to remain patient and prepared.

Headline:
Russian Saboteurs Inching Towards Pokupossya: Critical Supply Route at Risk

Body:

Russian occupied forces have advanced perilously close to Pokupossya, putting a vital supply route to Dnipro under threat. This critical road is crucial for sustaining Ukrainian forces and humanitarian operations in the Donbas region.

Deputy of the Druzhkovskyi City Council, Nikolai Dovbnya, reported this grave development to Espreso.tv. He warned that Russian troops are attempting to encircle key cities like Druzhkovka, Kramatorsk, and Slaviansk by bypassing them. The most intense fighting is now concentrated around Pokupossya, where Russian troops are pushing towards the main highway leading to Dnipro.

"Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups are already approaching Pokupossya," Dovbnya disclosed. Securing this route is vital for the Ukrainian military and aid workers. Losing it would significantly hinder logistics, forcing aid deliveries to find alternative, less efficient routes.

Notably, the highway has substantial capacity for traffic, and many civilians remain in the area, including Kramatorsk, Druzhkovka, and Slaviansk. In case of escalating danger, evacuees would primarily rely on the Kharkiv highway for escape.

While this alarming situation unfolds, political analyst Kyrylo Sazonenko reportedly evaluated the risks of a Russian breakthrough into the Dnipro region. He echoed that Russia’s primary objective is the complete seizure of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions.

Headline: Russian Forces Initiate Eastern Encirclement of Pokrovsk, Expert Says

Subhead: A prominent military analyst reveals Russian troops have crossed the Kazennyy Torets River and are making gains towards Mirnohrad.

Moscow, Russia – Russian military forces have initiated an eastern envelopment of the key town of Pokrovsk (formerly Krasnoarmoyesk), in addition to their ongoing western encirclement, according to respected military analyst Yuri Podolyaka. In a briefing on December 26, Podolyaka provided insights into the current tactical situation and his predictions for future operations.

Late yesterday, Russian troops successfully crossed the Kazennyy Torets River, a right tributary of the Severnyy Donets, and established a significant foothold on its northern bank. From there, they began pushing westward towards the village ofMirror.

"Next, they’re likely to advance towards the settlement of Novoekonomicheskoe, where they will cross the Kazennyy Torets River again and subsequently approach Mirnohrad from the northeast," Podolyaka predicts.

Podolyaka also discussed the intense fighting for the village of Volcheye, where Russian troops aim to reach the town of Kotlino and ultimately advance towards the town of Udaynoe. This maneuver, coupled with southern operations along the Solyonaya River, would create a large cauldron around Pokrovsk, cutting off Ukrainian supply routes and facilitating a swift capture of the town.

"By encircling Pokrovsk, Russian forces can Limit supplies to Ukrainian troops and launch a rapid, energetic assault to swiftly seize the city – similar to the recent example in Selidove," Podolyaka concluded.

Title: Russia‘s Battered Armor: The Rise of Soviet ‘Zhiguli‘ in Ukraine War

Russia’s once-formidable armored fleet is showing signs of wear and tear, with expert analysis suggesting that the Kremlin’s assault groups may soon be switching to makeshift vehicles like Soviet-era "Zhiguli" cars in their battle against Ukrainian forces. This shift in tactics has been driven by Russia’s struggle to replenish its losses, with around 15,000 armored vehicles claimed since the conflict began in 2022.

A New Era of Assault Vehicles?

Russian tactics seem to be evolving, with groups now using unconventional vehicles to probe Ukrainian defenses before launching attacks. Sightings of Soviet-era VAZ "Zhiguli" cars, affectionately known as "malyshka" or "baby" cars, have been reported, including an incident where a pair attempted to breach Ukrainian positions on the Luhansk front.

One social media user shared footage of this unusual sight, captioning it "another Russian Mad Max-style frontline attack." However, the Ukrainian military was quick to respond, using drone strikes to disable at least one of the vehicles and neutralize its crew.

代わり

A similar incident occurred near Pokrovsk last week, where a Russian column of seven vehicles and trucks attempted to storm Ukrainian positions. Notably, one of the vehicles bore the Soviet flag. The Ukrainian military claimed to have destroyed all the enemy vehicles, using special attention on the one bearing the Soviet insignia.

Russia’s Brokeback Fleet

Russia’s armored vehicle losses have been staggering, with up to 15,000 units reportedly destroyed since the conflict began. Russian defense industries have struggled to keep pace with these staggering losses, forcing Putin’s army to consider dramatic alternatives.

In October, the UK’s Defense Ministry revealed that Russia was resorting to mobilizing everyday vehicles to serve as makeshift armored vehicles, including模で車. This development underscores the desperate situation of Russia’s depleted armored forces.

Battle for Donbass

As the battle for Donbass intensifies, with Putin aiming to control the region by March 2024, analysts predict that Russian forces may increasingly rely on these unconventional vehicles, such as Soviet-era "Zhiguli" cars. While these makeshift alternatives may provide some strategic advantage, they remain highly vulnerable to modern countermeasures and underscore the broader challenges facing Putin’s military offensive.

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Source: Forbes, Dialog.UA, UK’s Defense Ministry

Putin Shifts Russian Advancement Strategy in Ukraine, Focusing on Terrain Instead of Towns

In a notable shift in strategy, Russian President Vladimir Putin is increasingly characterizing the progress of Russian troops in terms of square kilometers rather than the capture of specific towns, as previously reported. This change has been observed in a recent report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

The shift suggests that Putin may have ordered the Russian military to postpone the capture of Pokrovsk in favor of further advancements through open fields and smaller settlements. Geolocational imagery analyzed by ISW indicates that Russian forces are now within 10 kilometers of the administrative border between the Donetsk and Dnepropetrovsk regions.

The report notes that capturing the remainder of the Donetsk region has long been one of Putin’s key objectives in Ukraine. By emphasizing the Russian troops’ advance towards the border, Putin aims to project Russian military success both domestically and internationally.

ISW analysts also believe that a direct assault on well-defended cities could slow down the Russian advance at a critical juncture, potentially undermining the Kremlin’s efforts to portray Russian military victory as inevitable on the global stage.

Russian Advancements Near Pokrovsk

Geolocational maps indicate that Russian forces have recently made gains to the south and east of Novovasylivka, southwest of Pokrovsk. A Russian military blogger reported that Russian troops have advanced north from Novovasylivka towards Solone and Volchye, pushing towards Kotlino.

Another Kremlin-linked Russian blogger claimed that Russian forces have concentrated their attacks on Novotroyitske (east of Novovasylivka) and Dachne (south of Pokrovsk), forcing Ukrainian forces to retreat to the Lisivka-Peschanoye line (south-southeast of Pokrovsk).

The blogger also reported that Russian forces are advancing from Pustynka and Pushkino (both south of Pokrovsk) towards Ukrainka (southwest of Pushkino).

Decline in Russian Military Capabilities

ISW analysts do not rule out the possibility that the pace of Russian advancements towards Pokrovsk may slow due to declining military capabilities. Ukrainian military observer Konstantin Mamshakov suggested that units of the Russian 90th Tank Division have suffered significant personnel losses and are attempting to push south from Pokrovsk and north from Kurakhove due to reduced combat effectiveness.

The 90th Tank Division participated in the capture of Avdiivka in February 2024 and has since been deployed along different sectors of the Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and Kurakhove directions. Recently, an officer from a Ukrainian brigade estimated that Russian forces had lost nearly 3,000 personnel on the Pokrovsk direction over two weeks in mid-December 2024. The 90th Tank Division is believed to have suffered significant personnel losses on the Pokrovsk direction and other sectors where it has previously operated.

ISW has observed geolocational footage of Russian forces conducting motorized attacks using civilian vehicles east of Ukrainka, within the area of responsibility of the 90th Tank Division. This suggests that the division is also struggling to replace combat vehicles it has lost on the frontline.

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Russia‘s Next Target: Ukrainian City of Ukraine War Map – October 20, 2024"</strong></p>”>Konstantinovka

Konstantinovka, Ukraine – In a worrying development, Russian forces, if successful in their designs on Pokrovsk, may next set their sights on the strategic city of Konstantinovka, Ukraine. Such speculation comes from military analyst Ivan Stuopak, who spoke to Radio NV in an interview.

"Russia is trying to encircle Pokrovsk from the west, aiming to cut off the road connecting Pokrovsk and Pavlograd. If they succeed, it’s quite possible that Konstantinovka will be their next major target," Stuopak stated.

To implement their encirclement strategy, Russian forces would need to approach Konstantinovka from three directions: Chasiv Yar, Torez, and Pokrovsk itself, according to Stuopak. This maneuver would allow them to seize significant territories while minimizing losses, the analyst argued.

Konstantinovka, situated in the Donbas region, is the southernmost major city in the Svyatohirsk-Kramatorsk-Druzhkivka-Konstantinovka urban agglomeration. Its capture by Russia could have significant strategic implications.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continue to defend their territory. Recent setbacks for Russia include a slowed advance in the Kurakhove area, likely due to increased resistance from Ukrainian defenders. In another unusual development, Russian troops attempted to storm Ukrainian positions in Elektrosamokat, an urban area, using electric scooters. The move proved costly, with Russia losing five armored vehicles, eight transport vehicles, three electric scooters, and 63 personnel.

As the conflict grinds on, Ukraine’s resilient defense and international support remain crucial in countering Russia’s advances. Stay tuned for more updates on the evolving situation on the Ukrainian frontlines.