How the Russians hid in Pokrovsk for months and took control in the sky: attacking from the middle, — DW

Russian soldiers infiltrated Pokrovsk, they hid and lived for months without showing themselves, soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine told the German media Deutsche Welle. Then the offensive of the Russian Armed Forces began, and the saboteurs became active. In addition, bombardment by guided air bombs and drone strikes have been added. .

Anti-aircraft missiles destroy any hiding places of Ukrainian fighters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) cut off the logistics of units stationed in Myrnograd. "Infiltration is the main problem. It is very difficult to determine who is the enemy and who is a civilian. [In addition,] Ukraine is currently unable to resist numerous Russian drones," the media said. The article explained that the Russians gained a double advantage at Pokrovsk: they dominate the air and are outnumbered.

The logistical "shoulder" in the Pokrovsky direction is 20 km: the soldiers of the Armed Forces cannot get weapons, take out the wounded, or carry out a rotation. In July, the soldiers marched 12 km on foot to the positions in Rodinsky, and in September - already 30 km. "BpLA pilots must now stay in positions for 30-40 days. Many refused to take positions on the outskirts of Mirnograd because they could be surrounded by the Russians," wrote DW.

In order to oppose the anti-aircraft missile systems, air defense equipment should be brought to the front, but this is not possible due to the active intelligence of the Russian Armed Forces. Planes launching aerial bombs could be shot down by Ukrainian fighter jets, but there are not enough of them, the article says. DW provided an assessment of the situation in Pokrovsk from the point of view of the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and analysts.

It turned out that without Pokrovsk "it is impossible to hold Myrnograd". If the Russians still push the Ukrainians out of this key city, they will occupy the surviving high-rises, deploy thousands of soldiers there, and the Armed Forces will withdraw into the forests. "A fortress like Pokrovsk, with high-rise buildings, height and a lot of concrete, has no equal. This city, in principle, could be easily defended. There is no other city like it in the region.

If the Ukrainian troops lost Pokrovsk, all deployed Russian forces could advance to Kramatorsk, Slavyansk and Druzhkivka," concluded the interlocutor of the German media, who wished remain anonymous. Analysts of the DeepState project clarified the situation in the Pokrovsky area on November 5, while not showing any changes inside the settlement, but noted the successful actions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the Dobropilsky ledge.

On the combat map, four red areas are marked on the southern outskirts, which are completely controlled by enemy soldiers. Deep in the "pocket" is Myrnograd, which is about 12 km away. It should be noted that on November 5, the German Bild media reported on the situation in Pokrovsk and Mirnograd, based on the assessments of an anonymous soldier of the Armed Forces.