Russian Command Trying To Gain Pokrovsk Foothold, But Hasn't Encircled Ukrainians

Russian forces at Pokrovsk are attempting to turn their tenuous footholds into something more permanent. Use of the word 'control' is a misnomer in a battle characterized by daily changes of position.  

Ukrainian forces are fighting prevent further encroachments, and in doing so, have not been surrounded despite Russian media commentary. The question for the Ukrainians is assessing the cost-benefit of continuing to hold, measured in casualties and lost equipment. As in other, similar previous battles, causing Russian bloodletting has generally worked to Ukraine's advantage. JL

Yulia Taradiuk reports in the Kyiv Independent:

Russian Forces are trying to gain a foothold in the industrial zone and residential buildings of Pokrovsk but Ukrainain soldiers have not been encircled. Ukrainian forces are taking "active countermeasures" to prevent Russians from consolidating their foothold in Pokrovsk. Russia's goal is to close in from the south through Pokrovsk, bypass it. "Just recently, we eliminated a group that was trying to cut off logistics, specifically the road to Rodynske (north of Pokrovsk)."

Russian Forces are trying to gain a foothold in the industrial zone and residential buildings of the embattled city of Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast, a soldier told Suspline on Nov. 5.

"Archeologist," the soldier from the 25th Airborne Brigade, which is serving in the Pokrovsk area, said that Russia's goal is to close in from the south through Pokrovsk, bypass it, and cut off Ukraine's logistics.

"Just recently, we eliminated a group that was trying to cut off logistics, specifically the road to Rodynske (city in the north of Pokrovsk)," Archeologist said.

Ukraine's General Staff said in a Nov. 5 Telegram post that Ukrainian forces are taking "active countermeasures" to prevent Russians from consolidating their foothold in Pokrovsk, and that Ukrainain soldiers have not been encircled.

"Our units and divisions are not surrounded," the statement says.

Ukrainian forces said on Nov. 3 that they stopped a Russian attempt to advance north of Pokrovsk, a key logistics hub in Donetsk Oblast, which is semi-circled by Russian forces and the site of fierce fighting.

 

Reports over the weekend suggested that HUR launched a special operation involving airborne assault units in Pokrovsk under the command of HUR chief Kyrylo Budanov.

Reuters reported on Oct. 31 that the raid began earlier this week, when Ukrainian special forces landed from a Black Hawk helicopter in areas compromised by Russian drone activity.

Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) on Nov. 4 released footage of what was said to be an ongoing special operation in Pokrovsk.

The video showed both drone and on-the-ground footage of drone strikes, tanks, infantry, helicopters, and artillery, providing an insight into the scale of the battle to save the city from encroaching Russian forces.

HUR said the footage showed the work of the Timur Special Unit. "Fierce battles are taking place with the Russian occupiers," it added.