Russia's Pokrovsk Advance Slows As Ukraine Drones, Special Ops Inflict Big Losses

Ukraine's surprise counterattack in the Pokrovsk sector has evidently slowed the Russian advance. 

In addition to Ukrainian drone forces, Kyiv's commandos have succeeded in keeping some logistics routes open as exaggerated Russian claims of 'control' turn out to be false as much of the city has become a gray zone where the opposing sides sometimes fight from different rooms in the same building. JL

The Institute for the Study of War reports:

The rate of Russian advances in Pokrovsk has slowed. Small Russian assault groups are approaching the T-0515 highway in eastern Pokrovsk and are fighting in northern Pokrovsk but are struggling to consolidate positions due to Ukrainian drone strikes. The Russians are slowing down their offensive operations in the Pokrovsk direction while waiting for reinforcements and are attempting to establish defenses and extend logistics into southern Pokrovsk. Much of Pokrovsk is now a contested 'Gray Zone.'

The rate of Russian advances in the Pokrovsk direction has temporarily slowed but will likely increase again in the coming days as Russian forces extend logistics and bring reinforcements in the area. Geolocated footage published on November 6 indicates that Russian forces recently marginally advanced into northern Myrnohrad (east of Pokrovsk), a relatively small quantity and area of assessed Russian advances in the Pokrovsk direction compared to recent days.[1] Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces seized western Rivne (east of Pokrovsk along the T-0515 Pokrovsk-Dobropillya highway), seized most of Krasnyi Lyman (northeast of Pokrovsk), and advanced in eastern and southeastern Myrnohrad.[2] One milblogger claimed that small Russian assault groups are approaching the T-0515 highway in eastern Pokrovsk and are fighting in northern Pokrovsk but are struggling to consolidate positions due to Ukrainian drone strikes.[3] Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets reported on November 7 that much of Pokrovsk is a contested “gray zone” but noted that Russian forces have forward positions in northern Pokrovsk while elements of the main Russian force grouping have positions in southern Pokrovsk.[4] Ukrainian 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of the Air Assault Forces Spokesperson Serhiy Okishev stated on November 8 that Russian forces do not aim to establish a foothold within Pokrovsk itself but continue efforts to penetrate through the town to its northern outskirts and are dressing as civilians, a resort to perfidy under international law, to do so.[5] Okishev stated that Ukrainian forces partially restored their logistics north of Pokrovsk and transported ammunition into the town.

Ukrainian military sources have indicated in recent days that Russian forces are somewhat slowing down their offensive operations in the Pokrovsk direction while waiting for reinforcements and are attempting to establish defenses and extend logistics into southern Pokrovsk.[6] Mashovets reported that Russian forces quickly established strong defenses near Razine (northeast of Pokrovsk) and are attempting to send reinforcements toward Zatyshok (northeast of Pokrovsk) and Krasnyi Lyman and are sending small and large groups toward Krasnyi Lyman.[7] Russian forces will likely increase the tempo of their offensive operations in the Pokrovsk direction in the coming days as Russian forces continue establishing defenses and logistics in the town.