Ukraine 'Destroys' 291 Russian Attacks As Pokrovsk Again Hottest Sector

Ukraine's Pokrovsk-Mynohrad defenders including the Azov, 32nd and 155th mechanized brigades destroyed 291 Russian attacks in the past week, as that region has again become the hottest on the frontline. 

Having been thwarted in Zaporizhzhia and other areas in the south, the Kremlin, as has been its pattern, is now trying a new area to see if it might have more success than it has in the past 18 months. So far, to no one's surprise, the answer appears to be no. JL

 
RFU News reports:

Ukrainian forces repelled a series of Russian attacks in the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad sector, (again) "the most hotly contested on the entire 1,200 km front." Near Hryshyne, north of Pokrovsk,the 32nd and 155th mechanized brigades destroyed the Russians advances while geolocated footage indicates that on April 1, "the Ukrainians advanced in northwestern Hryshyne as they have been clearing Hryshyne's center in recent weeks." Ukraine's 2026 strategy — exhaust Russian forces, deny breakthroughs, build reserves — positions the Pokrovsk sector as a prime attrition zone where absorbing high assault volumes is itself the mission. 

Ukrainian forces halted Russian advances on multiple settlements in the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad area in eastern Ukraine and repelled a series of attacks over the past week, according to Commander-in-Chief General Oleksandr Syrskyi on Facebook. Syrskyi described the Pokrovsk direction as the most intensely contested point on the entire active front and traveled to the sector for another working visit. He met with brigade commanders, assessed defense priorities, and personally decorated front-line troops.

The Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad area has been the war's most sustained Russian assault zone for months, central to Russia's drive to capture all of Donetsk Oblast. ISW assessed in March that Russia has likely launched its anticipated spring-summer 2026 offensive, targeting the Donetsk Fortress Belt. Meanwhile, Ukraine's 2026 stated strategy — exhaust Russian forces, deny breakthroughs, build reserves — positions the Pokrovsk direction as a prime attrition zone where absorbing high assault volumes is itself the mission. 

Ukraine blocks Russian advances on multiple settlements

Ukrainian forces blocked Russian attempts to seize several settlements simultaneously in the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad area in recent days. Syrskyi reported the Pokrovsk direction is "the hottest on the entire 1,200 km length of the active front." Ukrainian forces in the direction repelled 291 Russian attacks over the past week alone, according to his data. 

Near Hryshyne, the 32nd and 155th separate mechanized brigades destroyed Russian occupiers, the commander says. Near Myrnohrad, the 79th separate airborne assault Tavriia brigade and the 14th operational brigade "Chervona Kalyna" worked against the enemy.

"Geolocated footage published on April 1 indicates that Ukrainian forces advanced in northwestern Hryshyne (northwest of Pokrovsk)," the ISW noted in its latest assessment.

Current situation in the Pokrovsk sector. Map: ISW.

Ukraine has been clearing Hryshyne's center in recent weeks. Russia uses occupied Pokrovsk as a staging ground for further pushes northwest toward the settlement. 

Syrskyi held a meeting at the headquarters of the 1st National Guard Corps "Azov". He received reports from commanders on the situation across all brigade responsibility zones. 

"The high activity of Russian-occupation forces demands constant concentration of efforts, non-standard decisions, and quality interaction of units," Syrskyi said. The main focus for the near term: equipment and weapons "that will help Ukrainian warriors work against the enemy even more effectively."

Syrskyi personally awarded Commander-in-Chief decorations to servicemembers of the 1st National Guard Corps. During a separate engagement with the unmanned systems force grouping, he awarded the Cross of Merit to the drone forces commander, Major Robert Brovdi. Other drone force fighters who distinguished themselves in combat also received decorations.