Ukrainian troops holding Pokrovsk as Russia turns city into troop hub
Photo: Ukrainian forces are holding positions in Pokrovsk and have no plans to withdraw from the city (Getty Images)
Ukraine’s Defense Forces have no mission to leave Pokrovsk, where Ukrainian troops continue to hold positions in the northern part of the city, according to RBC-Ukraine's source within the Defense Forces familiar with the situation on the Pokrovsk front.
According to the source, Ukrainian servicemen are also present in Myrnohrad, but the situation there is significantly more difficult, meaning a controlled withdrawal could be possible.
“For the enemy, Pokrovsk is currently serving as a hub for concentrating manpower, and they are pulling additional reserves there. For the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the task is to maintain positional defense — no one is planning to leave at the moment,” the source said.
The source explained that the intensity of fighting remains very high and was the same during the so-called ceasefire on May 9–11. However, compared to last year, Russian forces have reduced the number of guided aerial bomb strikes against Ukrainian positions several times over.
Ukraine will not leave Pokrovsk, but the situation in Myrnohrad is more difficult, the source says
Map from Ukraine’s General Staff: Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad effectively form a single urban agglomeration
“Overall, the intensity of artillery exchanges has slightly decreased in recent days. But the enemy’s air force plays the key role, and in this component, they are causing us serious problems,” the Defense Forces source noted.
According to the source, the main problem for Ukrainian units near Pokrovsk is logistics, especially when it comes to evacuating personnel.
“Ground robotic systems help, and sometimes we have to come up with complicated schemes to evacuate the wounded,” the source explained.
Battles for Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad
Heavy fighting has been ongoing for a long time in eastern Ukraine on the Pokrovsk front, where most Russian assault operations are concentrated.
In the past 24 hours alone, Ukrainian defenders repelled 32 Russian assault attempts near Rodynske, Shevchenko, Pokrovsk, Hryshyne, Vasylivka, Udachne, Muravka, Molodetske, Novomykolaivka, Bilytske, Novooleksandrivka, Kotlyne, and Novopidhorodne.
Russian forces view Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad as potential bridgeheads for further advances.
Pokrovsk is strategically important for Russia primarily because of its logistics and location. It is a major transportation hub through which roads and supply routes run in this sector.
Myrnohrad is effectively part of the same urban area as Pokrovsk. Control or strong influence over both cities simultaneously would give Russia broader maneuvering opportunities and allow it to create a support zone for offensive operations.
At the same time, Ukraine’s Defense Forces continue to hold the line despite intense Russian pressure and heavy enemy losses.
