Pokrovsk is holding on: how the Armed Forces are holding back the biggest assault in Donbas

The command of the 7th Rapid Response Corps of the Armed Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the Russian Federation used about 11,000 occupiers to surround the Pokrovsk agglomeration. Enemy groups that have infiltrated the city will move northwest and north. The enemy's probable plan was published on October 29 on the corps' Facebook page.

In the zone of responsibility of the corps, the enemy has accumulated 27,000 soldiers, up to 100 tanks, 260 self-propelled guns, 160 guns and mortars. The Armed Forces are conducting a defensive operation. In two days, the Russian Federation lost: 90 dead, 42 wounded, 1 armored personnel carrier, 3 BMP, 3 cars, 1 motorcycle, 158 drones. 18 occupiers were destroyed in Pokrovsk.

DeepState analysts note that since July, the Russians have carried out a large-scale infiltration of the city, taking advantage of the lack of infantry in the Armed Forces and false reports from commanders. DRGs penetrate the streets, attack EWs, drone operators, and artillery. The advance took place in the area of ​​Zvirovoy, Shevchenko, along the railway from Kotlyny. The enemy uses weak orders in the south of the city. There is also a threat to the logistics of Mirnograd.

Reconnaissance drones monitor the movements of Ukrainian defenders, attack UAVs destroy the supplies of the Armed Forces. The situation is on the verge of critical. The rescue requires a full crew to block the infiltration routes. DeepState updated the map on October 29. In particular, the gray zone has expanded in the west, there is a possible cutting of the E-50 highway, and the advance of the occupiers to the north beyond the Pokrovska railway station.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports that on October 28, 45 assaults took place in the Pokrovsky direction. In particular, the Russians are carrying out attacks on Pokrovsk, Mirnograd and 14 villages. The command does not comment on the situation. Oleksandr Kovalenko, a military and political observer of the "Information Resistance" group, notes that the situation around Pokrovsk remains difficult, but needs clear emphasis.

Statements about the alleged encirclement of the city are untrue. The situation cannot be called "critical" either, since the Russian forces are not able to completely isolate Pokrovsk. The central and northern parts of the city are stably controlled by the Defense Forces of Ukraine. "In some areas, in particular in the area of Krasnoye Liman and Rodinsky, the occupiers have made some progress.

However, this looks ambiguous against the background of the recent successes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The day before, Ukrainian troops liberated Sukhetske and Suvorov, approaching Fedorivka. In the event of the deoccupation of Fedorivka and Razinoy, Russian units moving to Krasnoye Liman and Rodinsky will find themselves in an operational encirclement on In this way, the enemy will not be able to close the exit to Pokrovsk from these settlements.

The question of the real surroundings of the city loses its meaning," emphasizes Kovalenko. Commenting on the situation regarding Mirnograd, the expert emphasizes that official reports confirm the absence of Russian troops in the city. According to available data, the occupiers tried to break through to the outskirts in Kozatskyi and Promin districts, but were unable to gain a foothold. The situation in Myrnograd is more stable than in Pokrovsk.

"In Pokrovsk itself, the enemy has two main directions of advance. The first is through Leontovychy, Privilna Street, Sazonov ponds, the central cemetery, Pokrovskoe auto enterprise and Ukrbud. Here the Russians can disperse and entrench themselves. The second is through Zelenivka, the Lazurny and Pivdenny microdistricts," the observer adds.

According to Kovalenko, the enemy's tactics are a serious problem: most of the invaders change into civilian clothes, move in small groups (3-4 people) or alone. They mix with the local population that still remains in the city. This makes identification and neutralization difficult. However, the Defense Forces conduct systematic work to identify saboteurs. The expert emphasizes: the situation should not be perceived as critical. A striking example is the Dobropil direction.

The Russians covered 16 km, but the ZSU quickly stabilized the front, creating several encirclement zones for the enemy. The occupiers suffered significant losses, the direction "collapsed", positions are still being lost. Similarly, in Pokrovsk, stabilization is possible with the restoration of control over the southern regions. According to Kovalenko, the negative scenario, namely the capture of Pokrovsky, is currently unlikely in the short term.

Even in the event of a breakthrough, the Russians would not gain full control for long. Fighting continues fiercely, not only in the center, but also on the foothills, including the M-30 highway. The armed forces are putting up serious resistance, as the occupiers themselves confirm, complaining of heavy losses. "Everything depends on the decisions made in the near future. Timely stabilization opens up prospects not only for containment, but also for counteroffensive actions.

The situation remains under control, despite the intensity of hostilities," concludes the observer. We will remind you that on October 20, 2025, the Russian occupying forces launched a large-scale mechanized assault in the Orihiv direction, concentrating their efforts in the areas of Shcherbaki, Novodanilivka, Nesteryanka, and Malaya Tokmachka.