Russians 'Sustain Severe Losses' At Pokrovsk, 'Suffer Serious Degradation'

Reports reveal that Russian forces attempting to take Pokrovsk are suffering losses described as 'severe' and 'significant,' which has led to serious degradation of their military's capabilities.

The implication is that even if the Ukrainians decide to withdraw from Pokrovsk, having extracted a bitter price from the Kremlin, that whatever Russian forces remain will require fundamental rebuilding even as they occupy a smoking heap of rubble incapable of providing shelter or sustenance as winter approaches. JL

Yuri Zoria reports in Euromaidan Press:

Russian forces sustained severe losses throughout October 2025, after deploying elements of three armies. The three Combined Arms Armies (CAAs) - the 2nd, 41st and 51st - engaged in the operation have suffered serious degradation after 21 months of fighting to seize Pokrovsk. Despite staggering (casualty) figures, the Russians have continued to concentrate a massive push towards Pokrovsk. 

Russian forces have concentrated a massive push toward Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast, deploying multiple brigades while sustaining severe losses throughout October 2025, according to the Institute for the Study of War. Russia has deployed elements of three armies, according to the report.

 

Heavy Russian losses accompany continued advance on Pokrovsk

ISW says in the Pokrovsk direction continues to "absorb significant Russian losses." According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), its units operating in the Pokrovsk direction killed more than 1,500 Russian servicemembers and destroyed 20 tanks, 62 armored fighting vehicles, and 532 transport vehicles in October 2025 alone.

The SBU’s report, released on 5 November, stressed that these figures account only for damage inflicted by its own units — meaning Russia’s total losses are likely much higher, as the area is primarily held by Ukrainian Army formations, which far outnumber the additional forces from the SBU, HUR, and National Guard.

Despite those staggering figures, Russian troops have made incremental gains. Geolocated footage published on 5 November confirmed Russian advances in western Rodynske, located north of Pokrovsk. Meanwhile, Russian military bloggers claimed on 4 and 5 November that their forces also advanced within northeastern Pokrovsk, southeast of Hryshyne, and southwest of Sukhetske — all areas north of Pokrovsk.

A servicemember from a Ukrainian brigade active in the area told ISW that Russia has intensified its efforts in southern Pokrovsk. According to the report, Russian troops are now resorting to wearing civilian clothes to infiltrate Ukrainian lines — a tactic considered perfidy under international law. 

"ISW has recently observed multiple reports of Russian forces committing acts of perfidy in the Pokrovsk direction as Russian forces have leveraged infiltration tactics to penetrate the town between Ukrainian positions," the think tank wrote.

Map: ISW

Russia deploys parts of three armies in pursuit of Pokrovsk

Moscow has committed substantial forces to the Pokrovsk offensive, including elements from the 2nd, 41st, and 51st combined arms armies (CAAs). 

Russian units currently active in the sector include the 35th and 74th Motorized Rifle Brigades, both part of the 41st CAA, and the 1441st Motorized Rifle Regiment, reportedly of the 2nd CAA. These forces are operating in western Pokrovsk. In eastern Pokrovsk, units from the 30th Motorized Rifle Brigade (2nd CAA), the 506th and 589th motorized rifle regiments (27th Motorized Rifle Division, 2nd CAA), and the 1452nd Motorized Rifle Regiment (reportedly of the 41st CAA) are reportedly active.

Beyond Pokrovsk proper, the fighting stretches across a broader arc. The 9th Motorized Rifle Brigade (51st CAA, formerly part of the 1st Donetsk People’s Republic Army Corps) and the 506th Regiment are active in Rodynske. The 5th Motorized Rifle Brigade (51st CAA) is reportedly present in Myrnohrad, located to the east of Pokrovsk. Meanwhile, the 1435th Motorized Rifle Regiment (reportedly of the 2nd CAA) is positioned in Zvirove, and the 1437th Regiment in Udachne — both southwest of Pokrovsk.

ISW noted that the three CAAs engaged in the operation have likely suffered serious degradation after 21 months of fighting to seize Pokrovsk. The Ukrainian servicemember stated that Russia rarely uses mechanized vehicles in the area, except near Myrnohrad. ISW confirmed prior reports of Russian mechanized assaults near that town on 13 and 22 October.