Decisive phase of fighting for Pokrovsk: enemy enters in small groups — military tell details
21 October 2025 19:02
ANALYSIS FROM 
Russian troops are trying to break through the Ukrainian defense near Pokrovsk, throwing small assault groups, drones and air bombs into the battle. The enemy is already appearing in the city, working in a chaotic but aggressive style – as the military say, “there are sweatshops with assault rifles wandering around.” Ukrainian defenders are destroying enemy subversive reconnaissance groups, but the situation is difficult.
Despite the Russians’ attempts to create the illusion of an “inevitable fall,” the Ukrainian defense is holding out. Did the Russians really break through to the train station? Why are single groups of enemy appearing in the city, not columns – is it chaos or a new Russian tactic? And most importantly, will Pokrovsk be able to survive? Read more in the article
The Ukrainian military has successfully neutralized Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups (SRGs) trying to infiltrate the Pokrovsk area in Donetsk region. This is stated in a recent report by the American Institute for the Study of War.
According to analysts, the occupiers continue their offensive with small infantry units, using drones and artillery for support. Despite the intensity of the attacks, the enemy is not advancing – the Pokrovske direction remains one of the hottest areas of the front, the General Staff of the Armed Forces confirms.
The enemy is already physically present near the city, – expert
Military expert Ivan Stupak in an exclusive commentary for
It’s a very difficult situation from what we know. At least one of the two roads leading to the center of Pokrovsk is already physically controlled by Russians. I cannot say which forces, but they are present there. So, in my opinion, the issue of gradual withdrawal from the city is already relevant. The Ukrainian command is probably considering this option in order not to repeat the scenario of Bakhmut or Vuhledar,” said Stupak.
He also confirmed that isolated Russian units, including regular troops, are appearing in the city, not just reconnaissance troops, which indicates that the enemy is trying to gain a foothold in the urban area.
Yes, there is information about subversive reconnaissance groups, but we are talking about regular forces roaming the city. The situation is difficult, although not critical. The Russians are simultaneously exerting pressure in the direction of Zaporizhzhia through Dnipropetrovs’k region, which is tying up significant Ukrainian resources,” added Stupak.
Despite the complexity of the situation, ISW analysts emphasize that Ukrainian forces continue to hold the line and destroy Russian units trying to break through the line near Pokrovsk.
Civil activist Serhiy Sternenko said that Russian troops are deliberately shelling civilians, turning the city into a living hell.
“It’s hell in Pokrovsk and neighboring villages. Russians are deliberately killing civilians. Unfortunately, the situation in the city, and especially on the outskirts of the city, is only getting worse,” writes Sternenko.
Meanwhile, military analyst and columnist for Bild magazine Julian Röpke said that the battle for Pokrovsk is “approaching its final phase.”
Ukraine is now bombarding Russian soldiers in the center of Pokrovsk with kamikaze drones. This indicates that after 14 months of fighting, the battle for the city is approaching its final phase. Kyiv can slow down the Russian advance, but it cannot stop it yet,” Röpke wrote on social media.
What do the Ukrainian military say?
Officer of the Ukrainian Defense Forces Yevhen Tykhyi in an exclusive commentary for
The situation in that area of the front is generally heterogeneous – there is no clear front line, the positions are all cut up. It may be that the positions are not going across, but along,” says Tykhyi.
According to him, the enemy often infiltrates in small groups or single soldiers who find abandoned positions, basements or houses and establish themselves in them. The officer explains the enemy’s tactics as chaotic and purposeful at the same time.
“They are moving along the entire front line in subversive reconnaissance groups, not even the subversive reconnaissance groups, which are now called Russian military in many places. They have been given a certain direction or task, but in practice it doesn’t look very clear,” says Tikhiy.
Tykhyi also points to the role of such “mercenaries” in reconnaissance and preparation of strikes:
“Their task is to bring communications, a radio station, batteries, but in reality, they are just to scout out so that our quadcopter pilots can respond to them and so that Russian aerial reconnaissance can identify the locations of our UAVs,” says Tykhyi.
According to the officer, it is precisely because of the focus on Pokrovsk that this area “attracts” a large number of small groups.
“Pokrovsk is a place of concentration, all the attention is on Pokrovsk, so both groups and individual Russian soldiers go there,” Tikhiy summarizes.
on October 20, another attempt to break through by a Russian sabotage and reconnaissance group took place in the center of Pokrovsk.
During the advance, unfortunately, the Russians resorted to violations of international humanitarian law and killed several civilians. This happened in the area of the railway station, – the 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of the Air Assault Troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
After receiving the information, a joint strike and search group of the Defense Forces discovered and eliminated the Russian military, who were hiding in one of the premises of the station.
Looking at the footage of the killed residents of Pokrovsk, when the war has been going on for almost four years, there is no other word but inhumans. Such things are not forgotten for generations. And when someone talks about “peace at any cost,” it is worth looking at these photos to understand who it is impossible to put up with,” theOfficer Telegram channel said.
The military also reports that the enemy has begun to use guided missiles with a range of more than 100 kilometers.
What does the enemy say?
Russian propaganda sources continue to spread statements about the alleged successes of their army in the Pokrovsk sector. According to the data published by the Russian General Staff and a number of pro-Kremlin Telegram channels, the occupiers are “advancing” to the western part of the city and allegedly controlling the E50 highway.
Thus, the Russian General Staff’s report states that in Pokrovsk, Russian troops are advancing to the western part of the city. In the neighborhoods, successes are reported in the area of Shakhove and Promin. At the same time, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the capture of Lenino (Molodetske) on the border with Dnipropetrovs’k region, west of Udachne.
The propaganda channel Kotsnews, which is close to the Russian Ministry of Defense, also disseminated the following information:
“Pokrovsk is effectively cut off from supplies. The E50 highway to Pavlohrad is under tight fire control of our forces. Fighting continues in the western, northwestern and central districts of the city. We can already say that the garrison’s counter has been counting down the weeks.” – Kotsnews
Russian propaganda sources are trying to create the impression of the “inevitable fall” of Pokrovsk, but the actual situation shows that fierce fighting continues. The Ukrainian defense remains strong, and the enemy is unable to gain a full foothold in the city.
Ukrainian official sources do not confirm these statements. According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the situation in the Pokrovsk sector remains extremely difficult but under control. Ukrainian troops are holding their positions, destroying enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups trying to enter the city.
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