Russian troops are actively trying to surround Ukrainian positions between Mirnograd and Grodivka as part of an offensive operation to capture Pokrovsk, Donetsk region. About it reports the Institute of War Study (ISW) in its latest report.
According to ISW analysts, the Russian command conducts two key tactical operations. The first of them is realized along the line Novogrodivka-Grodivka, east of Pokrovsk, in order to capture Mirnograd and promote to the outskirts of Pokrovsk. The second operation is performed along the Selidove-Ukrainian-Girnyk line, southeast of Pokrovsk, and aimed at expanding the Russian group in the Pokrovsky direction, which allows to reduce the risks for Russians by Ukrainian counterattack.
Russian troops are likely to hope that both of these operations will create conditions for intense offensive actions to capture Pokrovsk. Earlier, the invaders have already succeeded, surrounding Ukrainian positions southeast of Pokrovsk along the Karlovsky reservoir, which forced Ukrainian troops to retreat.
Now the Russians are trying to repeat this scenario between Mirnograd and Grodivka. However, despite considerable efforts, it remains unclear whether they will be able to maintain a high rate of promotion through the city of Mirnohrad and its surroundings, given its considerable size and fortification.
Against the background of these events, the commander -in -chief of the Armed Forces Alexander Sirsky emphasized that fierce fighting continues in the Pokrovsky direction. Russian troops are trying to break through the defense of the Ukrainian units, focusing the main efforts on the eastern outskirts of Grodivka, Kameny, Red Yar, as well as in Novogrodivka and the eastern outskirts of Mikhailivka.
According to Sirsky, the enemy throws all available forces into battle, trying to break through Ukrainian defense, but Ukrainian soldiers continue to hold positions heroically, holding back the enemy's offensive.
