NATO says Myrnohrad is "largely surrounded" and Russians control over 95% of Pokrovsk

A senior NATO official has said that Ukrainian defence forces in Myrnohrad have been "largely surrounded" and are reliant on drones for supplies, and has stated that Russian troops control more than 95% of the city of Pokrovsk.

Source: A senior NATO official speaking to journalists before a ministerial meeting of the Alliance, in response to a question from European Pravda

Details: The Alliance maintains a dedicated team of officials that assesses the battlefield in the Russo-Ukrainian war using non-public information from Ukrainian partners and allied intelligence. By the Alliance's assessment, "Myrnohrad is now likely almost entirely surrounded".

Quote: "There is still a narrow corridor that the Ukrainians are able to do some retrograding forces through, but it's a very narrow corridor, and it is under Russian fire. It's not completely surrounded but largely surrounded."

More details: The Alliance also stresses that Ukrainian forces in the city have not laid down their arms and continue to repel attacks, though they face supply shortfalls.

Quote: "Ukrainian forces are likely still conducting defensive operations inside the city. The only supply corridor into both Myrnohrad and Pokrovsk… is now heavily destructed and Ukrainian forces are relying on drone drops which are increasingly difficult."

More details: The official also acknowledged that Ukrainian control in Pokrovsk has been almost entirely lost.

Quote: "Russians forces currently control over 95% of the city… Ukraine is likely to still retain a limited capability to launch small-scale raids into the northern part of the city. They are contesting full control of the city and they are delaying Russian consolidation efforts there."

More details: NATO insists that Ukraine is preparing further defensive lines should these cities be lost and for what follows.

Quote: "Ukraine has been building additional defensive lines where it anticipated that the Russian forces could advance beyond Pokrovsk. Ukrainians have put defensive measures in place to slow that down."

Background:

• The Ukrainian cities of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad in Donetsk Oblast may fall in December, said Gert Kaju, Head of Defence Readiness Department of the Estonian Ministry of Defence.
• Partners have insisted that the fall of Pokrovsk would not alter the overall trajectory of the war.

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