Russian army focuses on assaults on two Ukrainian cities – General Staff
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 79 combat engagements since the start of the day on 19 January 2026, with the most intense assault operations by the enemy concentrated on the Pokrovsk and Huliaipole axes.
This was reported by the General Staff’s press centre.
In the Pokrovsk direction, Russian occupiers carried out 28 attempts to dislodge Ukrainian defenders from their positions, attacking in the areas of the settlements of Nykanorivka, Rodynske, Myrnohrad, Kotlyne, Udachne and Horikhove. The situation in the Pokrovsk–Myrnohrad agglomeration remains extremely tense: the enemy is trying to advance towards Filiia, using its advantage in manpower. However, the Defence Forces are holding the line and inflicting significant losses on the enemy. Overall, around 50 attacks were repelled on this section of the front over the past day, confirming Pokrovsk’s status as one of the hottest flashpoints in eastern Ukraine.
In the Huliaipole direction, enemy activity has also increased significantly. Since the beginning of the current day, Ukrainian defenders have repelled 16 attacks by occupiers in the areas of Huliaipole and Solodke, as well as in the directions of Dobropillia and Varvarivka. In addition to ground assaults, the enemy is actively using aviation, striking nearby communities with guided aerial bombs, including Pidhavrylivka and Velykomykhailivka. Units of the National Guard and the Armed Forces of Ukraine are demonstrating resilience in difficult weather conditions, preventing the enemy from breaking through to logistical hubs in the south of Zaporizhzhia region.
Ukraine’s Defence Forces continue active combat operations on the eastern front and have made advances in the Kupiansk area of Kharkiv region, as well as near Pokrovsk in Donetsk region.
