Did occupiers seize Pokrovsk in semi-encirclement? Ukraine's military responds

"We cannot talk about a semi-encirclement right now, we cannot even talk about any more or less noticeable encirclement," he said, adding that the Russians are hoping this will happen and that Ukrainian forces will retreat.

At the same time, the military official did not rule out urban combat in Pokrovsk in the future, although the situation in Pokrovsk itself is "actually good."

"As it is in Myrnohrad itself and nearby. Because the Russians are actually trying to bypass them," the spokesperson continued.

According to him, the occupiers are not charging head-on; they are attempting to move through smaller settlements south of these cities, trying to gain a foothold in small villages and satellite settlements.

"And from there, they plan to bypass these cities, cut off logistical chains, so they don't have to break through well-prepared defenses, which are already in place in the area," Trehubov explained Russia's tactics.

He said that this is a logical tactic, but the fact that they are using it indicates that they no longer have the strong advantage in manpower and equipment that they had earlier, when they simply charged head-on.

Situation on the Pokrovsk front

On January 11, the Ukrainian Armed Forces struck four Russian concentration areas. In total, 184 combat engagements occurred on the front. The "hottest" area right now is the Pokrovsk front.

Russia continues to concentrate forces for attacks in the Pokrovsk area. Ukrainian defenders have stopped 77 of the aggressor's offensive actions in this sector.

Additionally, the occupiers have penetrated the Ukrainian defense lines on the Lyman front. They are currently being detected and eliminated.