Russians are bringing in reserves towards Pokrovsk and trying to break through Ukrainian defences
Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has said after a working trip to the Pokrovsk front that Russian forces are increasing pressure, bringing in reserves and looking for opportunities to break through Ukraine's defences.
Source: Syrskyi on Facebook
Details: Syrskyi said the operational situation on the Pokrovsk front remains difficult. A gruelling confrontation continues in the Pokrovsk–Myrnohrad agglomeration, with about fifty combat clashes recorded every day.
Quote: "I worked with the military command bodies and unit commanders directly on the ground during a working trip to this front.
The adversary is trying to increase pressure, bringing in reserves towards Pokrovsk and looking for opportunities to break through our defences both through sporadic large-scale assaults and through covert advances by small infantry groups. Under such conditions, organising defence requires full situational awareness, flexible decisions and precise calculation."
Details: Syrskyi said that they also discussed how to reduce losses among troops and preserve units' combat capability while working on the Pokrovsk front.
Based on the reports, priority tasks were identified: strengthening the resilience of the defence, ensuring uninterrupted logistics, improving the effectiveness of fire damage and coordinating interaction across all levels of command.
After commanders' reports, they determined what needed to be done first: reinforce the defence, prevent disruptions in delivering all necessary supplies, strike Russian assault groups more effectively and improve coordination between units. Syrskyi also said he had issued orders to strengthen support for units, including the unmanned component.
Quote: "Despite the difficult situation, Ukrainian service members are holding the line. Their professionalism, endurance, dedication and combat experience do not allow Russian occupiers to realise their intentions to break through to the western boundaries of Donetsk Oblast."
Background:
- On 8 January, speaking about the Pokrovsk front – the most difficult sector of the battlefield – Oleksandr Syrskyi said Ukrainian forces continued to control the northern part of Pokrovsk and were maintaining active defence in Myrnohrad.
- Russian forces continue to apply pressure along the entire line of contact. A total of 144 combat clashes took place on 18 January, with the most difficult situation remaining on the Pokrovsk and Huliaipole fronts.
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