Daily Tactical Update (DTU), Ukrainian TVD Day 1063

Here is Ivan’s assessment of the current situation near Pokrovsk (as published on Twitter on 22JAN).

Operational Overview: Kostyantyn Mashovets, a Ukrainian military observer, has reported that the Russian command of the Operational Group of Forces Center is continuing to build upon its progress south of Pokrovsk in operations involving the 41st and 2nd Guards Combined Arms Armies. To this end, the Russian command has concentrated multiple units and formations from these armies on a relatively small segment of the front, extending from the village of Dachenske to Novotroitske. As a result of these efforts and the consolidation of combat-ready troops in this narrow section of the front line, the Russians have gained significant superiority in forces and resources in this area and have successfully secured control of the village of Zvirove. They are actively launching attacks towards Zvirove and north/northwest of Pishchane. Furthermore, the Russian forces have continued their offensive with elements of the 41st and 51st Guards Combined Arms Armies in the Vozdvyzhenka region, attempting to flank Ukrainian positions which remain steadfast in their defense north of Timofiyivka and Lozuvatske.

H-32 Highway Line: On January 6, Russian and Ukrainian forces engaged in a series of clashes for control of Vozdvyzhenka, with Russian forces asserting their control over the town by Tuesday, January 7. Concurrently, geolocated footage published on Monday (06 JAN) indicated that Ukrainian forces made advancements on the northwestern outskirts of Vozdvyzhenka. Conversely, a Russian source claimed that on Monday (06 JAN), Russian forces extended their control zone in the Yelyzavetivka-Vozdvyzhenka area and successfully advanced towards Baranivka.

On Wednesday, January 8, a Russian source reported that assault groups equipped with armored vehicles, supported by tanks, had reached the road junction on the right near Malynivka on the Pokrovsk-Konstyantynivka road (H-32 highway), effectively cutting off access. The same source indicated that Russian forces entered Vodyane Druhe and consolidated their positions. Simultaneously, another Ukrainian soldier reported on Thursday (09 JAN) that Russian activity near Vozdvyzhenka was aimed at outflanking Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad. By January 13, the 5th Separate Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade completed its redeployment from Kurakhove to Vozdvyzhenka, enabling Russian forces to significantly expand their tactical presence in the Vozdvyzhenka area and resume their advance toward the road junction on the H-32 Highway east of Malynivka.

Shevchenko-Myrnohra-Hrodivka Line: On Monday (06 JAN), the Russian Ministry of Defense reported the capture of Dachenske by Russian forces. Following the capture of Shevchenko, Russian operations in this area were paused. Predominantly, only sabotage and reconnaissance units are attempting to infiltrate the city, while fiber-optic FPVs operate continuously, even overhead, seeking to attack Ukrainian positions from the rear. A Ukrainian soldier noted that Pokrovsk, Myrnohrad, and the adjacent villages form a single agglomeration that would be challenging to assault directly. Consequently, Russian forces proceeded southwest of Pokrovsk. They intensified their efforts in the Vozdvyzhenka area to access the road to Kostyantynivka and secure their right flank, which is flanked by Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad.

Staff Sergeant Serhiy Okishev, a Ukrainian representative from the communications department of the 25th Separate Airborne Brigade, stated on Saturday (11 JAN) that Russian forces are redeploying fresh troops to the Myrnohrad area. He added that the intensity of combat has escalated due to the 25th Brigade confronting formations that have reemerged from recovery. However, he mentioned that favorable weather conditions have led to increased activity from Russian aviation and drones in the area. Ukrainian sources released a video showing Ukrainian forces targeting the command post of Russia's 2nd Guards Combined Arms Army in Novohrodivka on January 12 and 13. Additionally, geolocated footage was released on Sunday (19 JAN), indicating a Russian advance near Shevchenko.

West Pokrovsk: On Monday, January 6th, a Ukrainian soldier reported that Russian efforts on the Pokrovsk axis were primarily focused on Novovasylivka and Novojelyzavetivka. The attacks were carried out by small groups, constantly maneuvering between positions and buildings, and achieving some success (specific details were not provided). The soldier highlighted that experienced Ukrainian UAV crews have been effective in preventing rapid Russian advances, although there are insufficient UAF infantry in the positions to halt them entirely. Geolocated footage confirmed Russian progress northeast of Vovkove.

On Tuesday, January 7th, a Russian source indicated that Russian troops nearly reached the T0406 road near Vovkove, though no further details were disclosed. Additional geolocated footage released on the same day corroborated Russian advances near Vovkove. A Ukrainian soldier reported that as of Wednesday, January 8th, Novojelyzavetivka had been occupied, with 80 percent of Novovasylivka under Russian control. A Ukrainian soldier reported that Russian forces continued their assaults primarily with infantry units, typically in groups of two to three soldiers, and with minimal heavy armor support. On Sunday, January 12th, a Russian source claimed that Russian units made significant advances between Kotlyne and Zvirove, entering the western outskirts of the latter. This progress was corroborated by a Ukrainian blogger. Another Russian source stated that on the same day, Russian forces also advanced towards Udachne, located approximately 1.4 kilometers away.

A Ukrainian blogger reported that on Monday (13 JAN), Russian forces advanced near Pishchane and captured Zelene. Concurrently, a Ukrainian soldier claimed on Monday (13 JAN) that the Russians were gathering in Novovasylivka village due to severe weather conditions and minimal visibility. This made it difficult for the Ukrainian Armed Forces to identify and counter Russian soldiers. One soldier noted that there were attempts by the Russians to approach Uspenivka, but they were unsuccessful, sustaining losses and retreating. It was suggested that these actions resembled reconnaissance rather than a full-scale assault. Geolocated footage released on Monday (13 JAN) showed that Russian forces moved east of Myrne and secured positions along the T-0504 highway. Kostyantyn Mashovets also confirmed on Monday (13 JAN) that units from the 55th and 74th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigades breached the Pokrovsk-Mezhevaya Road and cut it off near the Kotlyne settlement.

On Sunday, January 19th, a Russian source reported that Russian troops had expelled the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) from Kotlyne and reached the northern outskirts of mine No. 2. In Udachne, Russian forces established themselves on the eastern outskirts, compelling the UAF to retreat towards the village center. The engagements occurred near the railway station serving Europe's largest coking coal mine. The source indicated that if the Russian forces advance directly west from their current position in Udachne, they will encounter the border with the Dnipropetrovsk region within 4.5 kilometers. A Russian source reported that on January 20, heavy fighting occurred near Udachne, particularly around the railway station and towards Novoserhiivka. The Ukrainians tried to hold the line and launched counterattacks but did not succeed. Intense battles also continued in Uspenivka, with Russians controlling the northeast and Ukrainians counterattacking southwards and towards Novovasylivka.

This open-source operational summary of the Pokrovsk AO is based on information from the ZSU and VSRF daily operations briefs, various Ukrainian and Russian Telegram channels, Western intelligence agencies' public statements, military analysts, and my own professional experience. Any errors in the information and translation presented here are strictly our own, and they will be corrected in the following update.