Russia grinds down units: the occupiers prioritized the capture of two cities, — ISW (maps)
Both the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation achieved tactical success in this area. The details are known from the report of the American Institute for the Study of War on November 2. Geolocation footage from November 1 indicates the recent advance of the occupiers to the southeast of Pokrovsk. Additional footage from November 2 showed how the Defense Forces hit two Russian fighters in the north of the city.
Ukrainian and Russian sources informed about the penetration of the enemy to the north. On November 2, the General Staff of the Armed Forces announced the release of 400 square meters in an unspecified area in the Pokrovsky direction. Analysts assumed that it was about recent tactical counterattacks to the north and northwest of Pokrovsk.
"Russian troops have probably put offensive operations in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka tactical area on the back burner in favor of completing the capture of Pokrovsk and Myrny. Russian offensive tactics in the direction of Pokrovsk lead to high losses," they noted. An unnamed Ukrainian serviceman told ISW that the occupiers had reduced the intensity of their attacks in the direction of Kostyantynivka after a failed mechanized offensive on October 27.
At the same time, the Russian military commander informed that, most likely, the Russian Federation will prioritize the occupation of Pokrovsk and Mirnograd before resuming significant efforts to capture Kostiantynivka. The Ukrainian combatant said that enemy assault units are looking for ways to bypass the strongholds of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Pokrovsk and penetrate the rear.
At the same time, other Russian units, in particular UAV or artillery crews, less trained infantry, are working to destroy the stronghold. According to the commander, the Russian Federation throws unprepared fighters into the assaults to divert the attention of Ukrainian drones and artillery. After that, the prepared assault infantry is already trying to engage in close combat with the crews.
Regular attacks along the same routes cause heavy casualties, so the enemy is constantly sending new units and reinforcements into the area. On November 2, it became known that units of the Russian 155th Marine Brigade were retreating because they had suffered significant personnel losses and lost their combat capability. To replace them, the enemy transferred units of the 108th motorized rifle regiment and the 68th tank regiment.
The Atesh partisan group, citing sources, informed that units of the Russian 74th Motorized Rifle Brigade also suffered significant losses. In addition, there is a high level of desertion. This is associated with the lack of rest and evacuation of the wounded. It will be recalled that the former Deputy Minister of Defense Vitaly Deinega said that Ukraine "practically lost" Pokrovsk.