Russian forces attempting to break through to Ukraine's Pokrovsk in small groups: Details
Illustrative photo: Russian forces attempting to break through to Pokrovsk in small groups (Getty Images)
Russian forces are being forced to change their tactics in the Donetsk region due to the high density of drones along the front line. Because of this heavy concentration, the enemy troops are advancing in small assault groups, states Andriy Kovalenko, the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council, during the national telethon live broadcast.
According to Kovalenko, the use of armored vehicles, motorcycles, and other transport has become too risky, as drones effectively detect and destroy enemy forces.
"They have to walk 10 to 15 kilometers on foot. As a result, the war has shifted to small assault groups of 5–10, sometimes 15 people, who try to choose different areas and crawl forward," he said.
This tactic of advancement is particularly noticeable near Pokrovsk, where the enemy sometimes manages to get closer to the city, but its groups are quickly detected and destroyed thanks to drones.
Russia’s planned summer 2025 offensive, which had been prepared in advance and was expected to involve the use of reserves, has been delayed due to the realities of the war.
He emphasized that the enemy is trying to "burn through" its accumulated reserves in an attempt to show at least some success on the battlefield.
This is meant to create the illusion of progress, which Russia later intends to use as leverage during potential negotiations.
Situation in the Pokrovsk direction
Pokrovsk and the surrounding areas of the Donetsk region remain one of the hottest spots on the front line, where a recent escalation in fighting has been observed. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine regularly reports intense clashes in this direction.
Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) predict that in the coming months, Russian forces may attempt to encircle Pokrovsk and bypass the positions of Ukrainian defense forces from the west in order to weaken their defenses.
At the same time, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi confirmed that a Russian sabotage and reconnaissance group had been operating near Pokrovsk, attempting to infiltrate the city, but its actions were promptly stopped.
Units of the Joint Territorial Defense Forces of the Donetsk region continue to actively fight the enemy and effectively block all attempts at breakthroughs and sabotage attacks in the area.
