Ukrainian Pokrovsk Bluff Distracts Russians, Strengthens Myrnohrad Defense

Ukrainian forces executed a complex double bluff counterattack at Dobropillia, causing the Russian command to redeploy units from Pokrovsk, which then allowed the Ukrainians to rotate new forces into Myrnohrad, strengthening their defenses there.

The surprise counterattacks confused and disoriented the Russians who apparently believed they were in control of the battle. This was at least the third surprise attack in the Pokrovsk sector in the past week, all of which have resulted in stronger Ukrainian positioning there. JL

Euromaidan Press reports:

Ukrainian units launched a massive wave of coordinated counterattacks along the Dobropillia frontline to block and cut off the Russian pincer above Myrnohrad. As the Russians were forced to react to the development, Ukrainian forces used the momentum of air strikes and ground units to simulate a massive assault launched from all sides, catching the attention of Russian surveillance and forcing them to switch from offense to defense. They abandoned attempts to reach the encircled units and focused on holding the line. While the Russian command concentrated on Dobropillia, Ukraine rotated forces in Myrnohrad. This reveals a Ukrainian strategy to force Russia into another slow, attritional fight that costs thousands of lives for minimal territorial gain. 

Today, there is important news from the Pokrovsk direction.

Here, Ukrainian units launched a massive wave of coordinated counterattacks along the entire Dobropillia frontline to block and cut off the Russian pincer above Myrnohrad. As the Russians were forced to quickly react to the unfolding developments, the Ukrainian command ordered to execute the most important move of the entire Pokrovsk operation.

Synchronized strikes eliminate Russian positions near Rodynske

Ukrainian units counterattacked near Dobropillia, combining airpower, tanks, and precision-guided munitions in a synchronized strike that put Russian positions in great danger.

The operation began when aerial reconnaissance detected Russian drone operators setting up in the territory of a local mine east of Rodynske. Within minutes, the coordinates were transmitted, and a Ukrainian Su-27 delivered a precise strike with a GBU-62 Jdam bomb, annihilating the launch site. 

Moments later, Ukrainian surveillance drones spotted Russian troops attempting to fortify a building on the outskirts of Rodynske. Another airstrike followed, again using Jdam bomb, wiping out the infiltrators and several Russian officers who had been directing operations in that area.

Later, Ukrainian drones identified fresh groups of Russian soldiers attempting to regroup in another building inside Rodynske, but a Ukrainian tank opened fire on one structure, clearing it of enemy forces. Inside an industrial complex nearby, more Russians were spotted, so Ukrainian jets launched Jdam's again, with the first one missing slightly due to Russian electronic warfare interference, while the second flattened the site successfully. 

These air strikes were part of a carefully planned prelude to the main ground counterattack aimed at securing Myrnohrad's northern flank and pushing Russian forces further away from encircling it.

Russian forces shift from offense to defense

Ukrainian forces used the momentum of the air strikes and ground units to simulate a massive assault launched from all sides, catching the attention of the Russian surveillance and forcing them to switch focus from offense to defense. The enemy abandoned temporarily attempts to reach the encircled units and instead focused on holding the line.

Textbook deception enables safe rotation and resupply

Later, it became evident that the Ukrainian counterattack was a well-orchestrated distraction. While the Russian command concentrated all attention on Dobropillia, convinced that the northern flank was the main target, Ukrainian commanders quietly executed a partial rotation of forces in Myrnohrad. 

This operation enabled the secure evacuation of wounded personnel and the delivery of vital supplies and ammunition to those still defending the town. It was a textbook deception maneuver: create pressure on one sector, force the enemy to divert reserves, and use the gained window to reinforce or extract troops from another direction.

This first stage of the plan was completed with remarkable coordination. Ukrainian troops conducted the rotation and partial withdrawal from the semi-encircled town with no losses. 

The counterattack to the north drew away Russian reconnaissance assets, allowing evacuation convoys to move through safely under electronic countermeasures. Part of the soldiers were safely extracted behind the frontlines, while the remaining defenders in Myrnohrad resupplied and prepared to hold the new line.

Coordinated defense maintains strategic viability of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad

At the same time, this was not the only distraction for the Russians. While the Dobropillia counterattack tied down their reserves, they were also forced to maintain focus on Pokrovsk, where Ukrainian forces continue to hold the enemy south of the railway line by constant clearing operations against Russian infiltrators. 

This persistent defense, the main objective of Ukraine's Pokrovsk operation, is working precisely as General Syrskyi planned. The ability to withdraw, rotate and evacuate forces from Myrnohrad would have been impossible if Pokrovsk had fallen or if Russian units had broken through north of the railway. 

Ukrainian troops are thus not only defending two towns but coordinating between them in a way that keeps both strategically viable and linked through controlled logistics corridors.

Overall, the latest events around Dobropillia, Pokrovsk, and Myrnohrad reveal a multi-layered Ukrainian strategy to contain the Russian advance, transform Myrnohrad into a fortress, and force Russia into another slow, attritional fight that costs thousands of lives for minimal territorial gain. 

The successful Dobropillia counterattack has already bought Ukraine precious time, destabilized Russian planning, and improved the security of the northern approaches. 

If Ukraine continues to hold the railway in Pokrovsk and keeps Myrnohrad supplied, the Russians will face months of bloody stalemate, one that Ukraine will use to strengthen its new defensive lines behind the embattled towns.