Ukrainian Forces In Pokrovsk "Holding Strong" As Kremlin "Desperate" To Enter

Russian forces are desperate to enter Pokrovsk now for two reasons First, Putin wants it in order to convince Trump that his win really is inevitable. The repeated failures to take the city have undermined his dominance narrative in the US and Europe. 

The other reason is that winter has arrived in Ukraine. The Russians outside Pokrovsk are exposed, cold - and under supplied. Getting into the city, even in its ruins, would enable them to stay somewhat warmer and perhaps not die as temperatures plunge. But so far, counter to the narrative the Kremlin is trying to flog, the Russians are unable to take Pokrovsk completely - again - just as they have failed to do for over a year. JL

Espreso Global reports:

Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad is holding strong. Russian forces are pushing to break through defenses and enter the city, (but) only small, scattered groups are making it. Several hundred Russian soldiers are in Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad area. "Their task is to try to gain a foothold and expand control. They are constantly trying to break through and enter urban areas, as doing so with the onset of winter increases their chances of survival. But the main mass of Russian troops is still concentrated in the so-called red and gray zones, which we see on the maps outside the cities."

Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad is holding strong. Russian forces are pushing to break through defenses and enter the city, using ruins for cover and to gather gear. However, only small, scattered groups are making it behind Ukrainian lines

Ivan Tymochko, head of the Council of Reservists of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, stated this on Espreso TV.

"Regarding the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration, two key points should be highlighted. The first is the front line itself. This is a line with fortifications where some of our troops are located. There is no clear line there, as one might imagine," Tymochko noted.

According to the head of the Council of Reservists, about 150,000 Russian soldiers are stationed along the 50-kilometer defense line of the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration. They are constantly trying to break through the defenses, find weak spots, attack, and enter urban areas, as the onset of winter increases their chances of survival.

"In urban areas, the Russian servicemen can hide and warm themselves as much as possible. In addition, they can hide equipment or accumulate resources in the ruins. On the other hand, the number of enemy forces penetrating the rear of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is significantly smaller.

In total, several hundred Russian soldiers are in the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration, who are usually scattered. Their task is to accumulate at certain points and try to gain a foothold and expand control. Of course, this is a serious challenge, but the main mass of Russian troops is still concentrated in the so-called red and gray zones, which we see on the maps," Tymochko added.

 

Over the past day, December 11, 174 combat engagements took place on the Russian-Ukrainian front.