Ukrainian forces liberate nine settlements, hold back Russia near Pokrovsk
Illustrative photo: The General Staff updated data on the front (GettyImages)
The situation in the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration area and on the Ocheretyne section of the Pokrovsk direction remains difficult. The enemy has numerical superiority and is increasing its offensive efforts, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The units of the Armed Forces and other components of the Defense Forces of Ukraine in designated sectors continue to conduct defensive, as well as search-and-strike and assault actions, inflicting significant losses on the enemy.
Liberated territories
Over the past ten days, Ukrainian troops in the Ocheretyne sector regained control over two settlements — Kucheriv Yar and Sukhetske. Since August 21, 2025, the situation in this area has been stabilized, control has been restored over nine settlements, and another nine have been cleared of enemy sabotage groups. In just the last ten days, 1,756 enemy servicemen and 75 pieces of enemy equipment have been destroyed here.
In a little over two months, the total losses of the enemy in the Ocheretyne (Dobropillia) direction amounted to more than 15,700 servicemen and 1,364 units of weapons and military equipment, including 36 tanks, 121 armored fighting vehicles, 162 artillery systems, 5 MLRS, 447 vehicles, 592 motorcycles and quad bikes, as well as one special-purpose vehicle. A total of 4,689 various UAVs have been destroyed. The exchange fund of Russian prisoners continues to be replenished.
As of October 26, 2025, Ukrainian forces have liberated 185.6 square kilometers and cleared 243.8 square kilometers of the Pokrovsk district in the Donetsk region.
Pokrovsk
On the approaches to the city of Pokrovsk and within its limits, Ukrainian units carry out daily comprehensive measures to stabilize the situation. The enemy, using the interpositional space and infiltration by small infantry groups, has accumulated about 200 servicemen in the city.
In Pokrovsk itself, small-arms battles are ongoing, and UAV units are actively operating. Russian attempts to advance deeper and gain a foothold in urban areas are being suppressed by counter-sabotage measures.
Ukrainian defenders continue to detect, eliminate, or capture Russian troops trying to infiltrate through combat formations. The fighting remains dynamic and intense.
Recently, Russian forces have been increasing the use of armored vehicles in assault actions. From October 20 to 25, a total of 41 assaults involving equipment were recorded along the front line, some of them in the Pokrovsk direction. On October 25, one armored fighting vehicle and two motorcycles were destroyed near Pokrovsk, and another armored vehicle was destroyed in the Balahan area. All vehicles used by the enemy in these assaults were neutralized.
The General Staff notes that Ukrainian soldiers continue to hold the defense and disrupt the enemy’s plans. For the Defense Forces, the key priorities remain strengthening the resilience of defenses, coordination of actions, effective fire engagement, and countering enemy UAVs and artillery.
Situation near Pokrovsk
A Russian sabotage and reconnaissance group infiltrated the center of Pokrovsk recently and carried out an attack that resulted in civilian casualties. Ukrainian defenders promptly detected and eliminated the saboteurs inside the railway station building.
In September alone, Russian unit losses in the Pokrovsk direction increased by almost 30%. In the defense sector of the 7th Air Assault Corps, Ukrainian troops neutralized 1,851 Russians over the past month.
The General Staff emphasizes that an intensive defensive operation continues in this direction. Despite enormous losses, the enemy continues attempts to break through Ukrainian defenses.
The Defense Forces are conducting stabilization and counter-sabotage operations in the Pokrovsk district of the Donetsk region — both within Pokrovsk and its outskirts, as well as part of active defense along the front line.
