Russian forces are making significant strides at the Pokrovsk front in eastern Ukraine, according to military analysts. In just a few days, they've allegedly claimed control over numerous settlements south of Pokrovsk, including Novohrodivka, as reported by the U.S. Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
The Russian army is now reportedly focusing on pushing forward along a railway line towards Pokrovsk. The rapid advance in Novohrodivka, located in the Donetsk region, might have been aided by Ukraine's withdrawal from the region, experts suggest.
Following the Russian troops' advance towards Pokrovsk, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced plans to bolster the region during a meeting with military leaders. Russian forces have recently declared they've seized several settlements in the Donetsk area.
In response to the escalating situation, Ukrainian authorities have ordered mandatory evacuations. Due to the deteriorating security situation, the evacuation zone has expanded. Children and their parents or caretakers are required to evacuate their homes, as announced by the governor of Donetsk. A list of 27 settlements in the Konstantinovka and Selydove regions has been included in the evacuation plans. Earlier, evacuations were ordered in the Pokrovsk area due to the advancement of Russian troops.
Russian forces appear to have expanded their control beyond Novohrodivka in eastern Ukraine. The ongoing conflict has led to mandatory evacuations in the Konstantinovka and Selydove regions, part of eastern Ukraine.
Additional Insights:
The current situation at the Pokrovsk front in eastern Ukraine is intricate and multifaceted. Here are the key points:
- Slowing Russian Advances:
- Russian advances south of Pokrovsk have slowed over the past two weeks due to several factors, including deterioration among frontline Russian units and intensified Ukrainian drone operations in the area[1][5].
- Ukrainian Drone Operations:
- Ukrainian drones are significantly hampering Russian activity by striking Russian forces operating more than three kilometers north and west of Selydove, restricting access to roads, and making it "impossible" for Russian forces to conduct rotations or resupply frontline units[1].
- Russian Casualties and Unit Degradation:
- Ukrainian forces have reported significant Russian casualties, with estimates suggesting around 7,000 personnel killed in action (KIA) and 15,000 total casualties in January 2025 in the Pokrovsk direction[1][5]. These losses are likely negatively impacting the combat effectiveness of Russian units.
- Redeployment of Russian Forces:
- The Russian military command has redeployed elements of the 8th Combined Arms Army (CAA) from the Kurakhove direction to the Toretsk (Kostyantynivka) direction, indicating a potential shift in priorities towards Kostyantynivka, the southernmost point of Ukraine's fortress belt in Donetsk Oblast[1][2].
- Ukrainian Counterattacks:
- Ukrainian forces have conducted several counterattacks near Kotlyne and Pishchane, aimed at threatening Russian positions in the salient. These counterattacks have likely contributed to the slowing of Russian advances[1][3].
- Russian Priorities:
- The Russian military command may prioritize assaults on Kostyantynivka in 2025, which could explain the redeployment of forces and the current focus on this area rather than reinforcing the Russian force grouping south of Pokrovsk[1][2].
In essence, the rapid progress of Russian military forces at the Pokrovsk front has been somewhat impeded by a variety of factors, including Ukrainian drone operations, significant Russian casualties, and a potential shift in Russian military priorities towards Kostyantynivka.
[1] ConflictIntelCenter, "Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine continues," February 2, 2025, [2] "Russian forces redeploy from Kurakhove," February 5, 2025, [3] "Ukrainian forces conduct counterattacks near Kotlyne," February 6, 2025, [4] "Russian casualties at Pokrovsk," February 9, 2025, [5] "Ukrainian drone operations slow Russian advance," February 10, 2025,
