Russian Pokrovsk Attack Intensity Decreases As Supply, Troop Situation "Dire"

Ukrainian soldiers report that the intensity of Russian attacks in the Pokrovsk sector have declined as the Kremlin's forces face 'dire' shortages of supplies and troops. 

Part of the problem is that the Russians are reaping what they sowed during the past three years in Donbas, where their scorched earth approach to war fighting has now left them with cities and surrounding territory - including logistics channels - reduced to smoking heaps of rubble incapable of supporting an army attempting to fight, especially in winter. This denuding of the region means that Ukrainian drones can see everything and quickly destroy any potential threat before it even gets to the front. The Russians are hanging on for dear life, hoping for a ceasefire before they are ordered to make anymore suicidal attacks. JL

New Voice of Ukraine reports:

Russian attack intensity has dropped significantly. The enemy has suffered considerable losses, and it seems they are struggling to recover. They are demoralized and disheveled. Prisoners we capture have no desire to fight. The situation for them is dire — both their cities and logistics are destroyed. (In) Bakhmut, Chasiv Yar, New York, and Toretsk, there’s no infrastructure left. It’s winter now, and there’s a 3-kilometer “gray zone” between us and them. As soon as we see movement, technology allows us to detect it, and drones are deployed immediately. They don’t even make it to our positions—they’re taken out before they get close.

In an interview with Radio NV, Oleksii Herman, head of the electronic warfare service of the 111th brigade, discussed developments in the Pokrovsk direction and changes following Mykhailo Drapatyi’s appointment as commander of the Khortytsia Military District.

— Is the intensity of enemy actions really decreasing? Is it because they’ve felt the pressure, or are there other factors at play?

— After a day on duty, I can say the intensity has dropped significantly. The enemy has suffered considerable losses, and it seems they are struggling to recover.

 

— The situation for them is dire — both their cities and logistics are destroyed. Take places like Bakhmut, Chasiv Yar, New York, and Toretsk. There’s no infrastructure left. It’s winter now, and there’s a 3-kilometer “gray zone” between us and them. As soon as we see movement, technology allows us to detect it, and drones are deployed immediately. They don’t even make it to our positions—they’re taken out before they get close.

— Let's talk about the Pokrovsk direction. With Lieutenant General Drapatyi now leading the Khortytsia OSUV and additional brigades there, what changes can we expect? Can Pokrovsk hold?

— I wrote about Pokrovsk a year ago. After the Bakhmut and Chasiv Yar fortresses, Pokrovsk became another stronghold. The front line in Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad is stabilized. The enemy is stopped there, but they’ll try to bypass us from the flanks. They’re unlikely to succeed. If we get reinforcements, shells, and everything else needed for war, they have no chance. The enemy is demoralized and disheveled. Even prisoners we capture have no desire to fight. They just say, "We didn’t want to be here. They're shooting at us, there’s no way out."

 

— Some reports say Russians are storming positions on crutches. Is this a distraction, or is it just the nature of the Russian military leadership?

— There are different regiments, and their results depend on their leadership. Some are so afraid they can’t turn back and just keep pushing forward. I’ve seen soldiers like that. One was wounded and tried to return to his unit, but he couldn’t. It depends on the commanders’ toughness and the resources available to them.

— Has anything changed in terms of morale or mood with Mykhailo Drapatyi taking over as chief commander of the Khortytsia OSUV?

— Honestly, I don’t feel much of a difference yet. He’s still learning where the brigade is strong and where it’s weak. It takes time — at least a month and a half — to fully assess the situation and understand what resources we have and what we’ll be asked to do. For now, what we’ve achieved is what we’ve held onto before his arrival. We’ll see what happens next. I believe in the soldier in the field, not in miracles from generals. The strength comes from the soldiers and their commanders, built from the bottom up, from morale and psychological strength. Generals are for organizing support, not for fighting the battles.