Ukrainian forces eliminate Russian troop column near Pokrovsk
Photo: Ukrainian drone pilots near Pokrovsk disrupted the advance of a Russian convoy (Getty Images)
Ukrainian 155th Separate Mechanized Brigade drone operators detected and attacked a Russian column that was attempting to break through to Pokrovsk before sunrise, disrupting the movement of Russian equipment and infantry, according to the 155th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Anna of Kyiv.
Pilots of the drone company of the 3rd Mechanized Battalion of the 155th Mechanized Brigade detected a Russian column moving towards Pokrovsk through the gray zone in the early morning hours.
Russian troops attempted to enter the city without detection, but were spotted by aerial surveillance.
According to the Ukrainian military, the Russian convoy was attacked immediately after it was detected. Several precision strikes were delivered on Russian vehicles and infantry, disrupting the Russians' advance.
"We found a convoy moving in the gray — before sunrise in Pokrovsk," the unit's fighters report.
The strikes were delivered deep into Russia's battle lines. According to the Ukrainian military, the operation took place 6-7 kilometers south of the line of contact, which allowed them to destroy some of the equipment before it reached their positions.
"We fired several shots at the vehicles and infantry while they were trying to reach the city at least partially," the drone company says.
Assaults on Pokrovsk
The Pokrovsk direction remains one of the key areas of the front, where the Russian army is constantly trying to increase its presence and put pressure on the Ukrainian defense.
To this end, the Russians actively use night and pre-dawn movements through the gray zone, hoping to avoid strikes.
Russian troops attempted to break through the Ukrainian Armed Forces' defenses on the northern outskirts of Pokrovsk, attacking the positions of the 25th Separate Airborne Brigade of the 7th Corps of the Airborne Forces.
Earlier, on January 7, Ukrainian troops from the 46th Separate Airborne Podillia Brigade had already repelled a large-scale Russian offensive in the same direction.
Ukrainian Airborne Assault Forces Command reported that Russians had thrown tanks, armored vehicles, and infantry into battle in an attempt to break through Ukrainian defenses. However, thanks to the coordinated work of engineers, artillerymen, and drone operators, the attack was repelled, and the advance of the Russian troops was stopped.
Ukrainian units also maintain control over the northern part of Pokrovsk and continue to hold back Russian forces in the direction of Myrnohrad.
Ukrainian National Guard Commander Oleksandr Pivnenko noted that reserves are currently being accumulated for counteroffensive actions, but difficult weather conditions are still limiting the possibilities for active operations.
