Russia amasses 710,000 troops for a strategic offensive, Ukrainian army chief says

The situation on the front line remains difficult. Despite significant losses, the Russian army has not abandoned its offensive actions, but has been unable to achieve any significant operational successes.

“To conduct a strategic offensive operation, the enemy has increased its forces to about 710,000 personnel. Despite significant losses, the Russian army is not abandoning its offensive operations, although it has not achieved any significant operational successes,” Syrskyi said.

He cited examples of effective actions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. Thanks to active search and strike operations, the Ukrainian military repelled the enemy from Kupiansk and took control of almost 90% of the city's territory.

Syrskyi paid special attention to the Pokrovsk direction. According to him, Russian troops have been trying to capture Pokrovsk for more than 17 months.

“Ukrainian units are holding their ground and taking the initiative. As a result of counteroffensive actions, they regained control of 16 square kilometers in the northern part of the city. They also recaptured 56 square kilometers of territory in the areas of the settlements of Hryshyne, Kotlyne, and Udachne, west of Pokrovsk,” he said.

On the eve of the attack, Syrskyi reported that Ukrainian troops continue to defend the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration, despite increased pressure from Russian forces.

According to him, after working meetings with corps and unit commanders, specific decisions were made to strengthen defenses and increase the effectiveness of the Defense Forces' actions. On December 10, Russian troops attempted to break through in the area of the village of Hryshyne near Pokrovsk, using a column of motorized vehicles, but the attack was stopped, and the enemy suffered precision strikes from Ukrainian units.

The 7th Corps of the Airborne Assault Forces also confirmed that the Defense Forces continue to carry out tasks to contain the enemy within the Pokrovsk agglomeration. The Ukrainian military provides air cover for ground logistics routes on the approaches to the city.

Thanks to the coordinated work of the defense units, almost 100% of enemy air targets attempting to approach key supply routes are being destroyed.

Earlier, it was reported that Ukrainian defenders in the area of responsibility of the East military unit continue to hold back the enemy's advance, thanks to reinforcements that recently arrived in the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration.

Statements from Russian propagandists about the alleged complete occupation of Pokrovsk do not correspond to reality. The enemy is unable to break through the Ukrainian Armed Forces' defenses in the north of the city and is using thermobaric artillery.