'Moving one by one': National Guard reveals new Russian movement tactics in Pokrovsk
Photo: the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to hold Pokrovsk (Getty Images)
Russian forces continue active assault operations in the Pokrovsk direction and are attempting to advance toward the city. The Russian forces are resorting to single-man movements, apparently рассчитывая that such movements will go unnoticed, according to a statement by Ihor Yaremenko, chief of staff of an artillery reconnaissance battalion of the National Guard of Ukraine, speaking on live television.
According to him, Russia is using a "one-by-one infiltration" tactic, seeking to move unnoticed. However, Ukraine’s Defence Forces detect such attempts and deliver fire strikes to prevent Russian units from penetrating Pokrovsk and to reduce the burden on troops defending the city directly.
Yaremenko added that Ukrainian units are also working to expand and maintain logistics routes toward Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, ensuring infantry units have everything needed for defence.
In addition, counter-battery warfare remains a priority for artillery-destroying enemy artillery systems that regularly shell Ukrainian positions and drone operators. At the same time, due to the high intensity of assaults, artillery units are also striking enemy manpower and armored vehicles.
Situation on Pokrovsk direction
As of the evening of January 1, 97 combat engagements were recorded along the frontline, 23 of them on the Pokrovsk direction, which has remained the hottest sector for some time.
Last month, the Air Assault Forces of Ukraine reported that, in addition to infiltration tactics toward Pokrovsk, Russian forces are also conducting mechanized assaults and continuous infantry attacks.
On December 27, the head of the National Guard of Ukraine, Oleksandr Pivnenko, said Ukrainian forces are massing units for counter-assault operations in Pokrovsk, though adverse weather conditions are hindering these efforts.
Fog has previously enabled Russian troops to slip into Pokrovsk; among other tactics, they used infiltration by small groups.
Overall, Pokrovsk, Myrnohrad, and Huliaipole are currently the sites of the fiercest fighting. Russian forces have also voiced ambitions to seize Kupiansk, which their senior military leadership has already claimed, a rhetoric echoed by Kremlin head Vladimir Putin.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine recently mocked another claim by a Russian general about the "liberation" of Kupiansk, stressing that the city remains under Ukrainian control.
