Ukraine’s Forces are carrying out successful counterattacks in several areas and inflicting significant losses on Russian occupation troops, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said in a Facebook post.
He said Russian forces are attempting to press Ukrainian positions in certain sectors, but Ukrainian defenders are striking back effectively, causing substantial personnel and equipment losses. Ukraine’s Defense Forces are doing everything possible to disrupt Russia’s autumn-winter campaign.
The Pokrovsk sector in Donetsk region remains the “hottest” part of the front. According to Ukraine’s General Staff, on December 19 Russian forces launched 45 attacks there. Fighting took place near Rodynske, Myrnohrad, Molodetske, Kotlyne, Dachne, Filiia and other settlements.
Conditions are somewhat less intense on the Kostiantynivka axis, also in Donetsk region. On December 19, Russian forces tried 20 times to break through Ukrainian lines there. Battles were reported near Kleban-Byk, Oleksandro-Shultyno, Rusyn Yar, and toward Pleshchiivka, Novopavlivka and Sofiivka.
In early December, Russian propaganda claimed the full capture of Pokrovsk and the encirclement of Myrnohrad. Ukraine’s armed forces denied those claims as false. Numerous videos posted online indicate Ukrainian troops continue to hold positions in those cities.
According to the 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of Ukraine’s Air Assault Forces, Ukrainian defenders are holding positions in northern Pokrovsk and inflicting heavy personnel losses on Russian troops. There are some logistics challenges due to Russian drones, but the Ukrainian military is establishing new supply and evacuation routes.
