The operational situation on the Pokrovsk axis remains extremely tense, but Ukraine’s Armed Forces are holding the line and preventing Russian forces from breaking through toward the western edge of Donetsk region.
In a post on Facebook, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi said a “grueling standoff” continues around the Pokrovsk–Myrnohrad urban area, with about 50 clashes occurring daily.
During a field visit to this sector, Syrskyi held on-site meetings with military command authorities and unit commanders. He said the enemy is trying to increase pressure, moving reserves toward Pokrovsk and seeking to breach defenses through both massed assaults and covert advances by small infantry groups.
Syrskyi noted that in these conditions, organizing the defense requires “full awareness, flexible decisions and precise calculations.” He emphasized prioritizing the preservation of personnel and maintaining units’ combat effectiveness.
Following commanders’ briefings, Syrskyi set priorities that include strengthening defensive resilience, ensuring uninterrupted logistics, boosting the effectiveness of fires, and achieving synchronized coordination at all levels of command. He also ordered increased support for troops, including the use of unmanned systems.
Despite the difficult situation, Ukrainian forces continue to hold their positions. “Their professionalism, composure, selflessness and combat hardening are preventing the Russian occupiers from achieving a breakthrough,” Syrskyi wrote.
He concluded by thanking commanders and soldiers for their service to Ukraine.
