Pokrovsk remains one of the toughest frontlines, but Russian advance stopped — Air Assault Forces
Pokrovsk remains one of the most intense sections of the frontline, where Ukrainian Defense Forces have managed to halt the advance of Russian troops.
This was stated in an interview with NV by Yevhen Laseichuk, commander of the 7th Rapid Response Corps of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces.
According to him, Russian forces are effectively bogged down in urban combat and are suffering significant losses. The dense urban environment and the railway dividing Pokrovsk into northern and southern parts play a key role in the defense.
Laseichuk noted that the enemy attempts to infiltrate the northern neighborhoods of the city with small infantry groups, but these attempts are systematically detected and stopped by Ukrainian units.
The commander also reported that Russia has concentrated around 150,000 troops in this section of the front. At the same time, confirmed Russian losses in the Pokrovsk agglomeration since September 1 amount to nearly 6,500 personnel.
He added that among captured Russian soldiers there are many so-called draft dodgers. Ukrainian forces have also repeatedly detained Russian soldiers wandering the area in search of food. Despite this, Russian command continues to employ mass infantry assault tactics without regard for casualties, according to Laseichuk.
The Air Assault Forces commander emphasized the strategic significance of Pokrovsk. The city blocks Russian troops from entering operational space and prevents their advance toward the Kramatorsk-Sloviansk agglomeration and Kharkiv Region.
He noted that if the Pokrovsk agglomeration were lost, it would be much easier for the enemy to advance across open terrain, using the city as a logistical hub.
