"They Plant A Flag, Record A Video, Get Eliminated:" Russian Special Ops Pokrovsk

As the last week in July has started, Russia's summer offensive has made no significant advances, let alone breakthroughs as Ukrainian forces are holding on all fronts.

In response to questions about Russian sabotage or recon teams temporarily entering Pokrovsk, it appears they have made 5 or 6 forays, all with the same result: "They plant a flag, take a video - and are then eliminated by Ukrainian forces. JL

Hromadske reports:

Russian forces are not making significant advances on the front lines. There are no major Russian breakthroughs, though they continue to attempt them. Understanding they face strong resistance, Russians are focusing more on military-information operations. "Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups have entered Pokrovsk 5–7 times. They attempt to record videos, plant a flag, film something… and are eliminated by our defenders. There is Russian pressure everywhere—Pokrovsk, Kharkiv, and Kupyansk axes. Our guys are holding their ground."

Russian forces are not making significant advances on the front lines, where conditions are extremely challenging for both Ukrainian and Russian troops, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told journalists in a meeting attended by hromadske.

There are no major Russian breakthroughs, though they continue to attempt them. Understanding they face strong resistance, Russians are focusing more on military-information operations, Zelenskyy added.

“There is Russian pressure everywhere—Pokrovsk, Kharkiv, and Kupyansk axes. Our guys are holding their ground. Well done,” the president said.

According to reports from Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups have entered Pokrovsk 5–7 times.

“Two people, six people. There was one instance where they tried to establish a group of 12. They attempt to record videos, plant a flag, film something… and all are eliminated by our defenders,” Zelenskyy said.

Regarding the Sumy axis, he described the situation as “much better than it was,” citing “solid steps” taken over the past month and a half.

Zelenskyy also addressed Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, noting it as a symbolic target for Russian information victories.

“It’s the same situation as in Pokrovsk: they move in—there’s an open field. Whether they advance or not doesn’t matter. There’s no living space left in that field. Nobody holds it. Our forces stay back and destroy everything they can,” he explained.

The president concluded that Sumy and Pokrovsk remain key Russian targets, with Dnipropetrovsk Oblast also a significant focus for Moscow.