[Korrespondent] Yesterday, the enemy set a daily record for the area of captured territory since 2024, ISW analysts write.
The Russian army made its biggest 24-hour advance since late May 2024 on August 12, capturing 110 square kilometers, the US Institute for the Study of War reports. According to statistics, it usually takes the enemy at least 5-6 days, sometimes more, to capture such territory.
The most difficult situation is currently observed in the Donetsk region. According to military information, Pokrovsk and Mirnograd are almost surrounded.
ENEMY TARGET
Deputy Commander of the 3rd Assault Brigade Maxim Zhorin stated the day before that the situation in the Pokrovsk direction is practically out of control. Among the main problems that led to the enemy's breakthrough, he named the following: poor communication between units, ineffective use of troops, lies at all levels and the lack of adequate solutions.
Today Zhorin added that Moscow has thrown enormous resources into advancing in almost all directions of the front, and most of all into capturing Pokrovsk.
"The goal of reaching the borders of Donetsk Oblast has been set for Russian troops for a long time. They are ready to do absolutely anything for such tasks... I know that Ukrainian units are currently being reinforced there and are making every effort to stabilize their positions. It is very important to understand the seriousness of the situation in this direction," he wrote.
THE VICE IS TIGHTENING
Due to the difficult situation at the front, the former chief of staff of the 12th special forces brigade Azov Bohdan "Tavr" Krotevich on his page on the social network X addressed the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to him, Pokrovsk and Mirnograd in Donetsk region were practically surrounded due to the enemy's offensive actions. The enemy is also advancing in the direction of Kramatorsk and Druzhkovka, which is worsening the situation at the front.
Problems in this combat area have been intensifying since 2024, Krotevich insists.
"This was publicly warned about, and that is exactly what happened. The reason for this problem is not the newly created corps, which inherited a disastrous situation with subordinate, understaffed units, and not the OTU or OSUV, which for the last year and a half have not actually managed anything, but only transmitted orders "in accordance with the order from the General Staff," he wrote.
The Washington Post, citing Pentagon sources, also writes that Ukrainian troops were under threat of encirclement in Pokrovsk. According to the American official, the Defense Forces were likely preparing defensive lines in the region similar to attempts to contain a Russian offensive on Bakhmut in 2023.
Urban fighting was then advantageous for the Ukrainian side, but now the Russians are implementing a different tactic.
Pokrovsk, which was a key logistics hub and supply center for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, was subjected to massive Russian strikes, damaging most of the transport routes.
ATTRACTING RESERVES
Krotevich's information was officially confirmed today by Viktor Tregubov, a representative of the operational-strategic group of troops "Dnepr". According to him, the Russians are trying to take Pokrovsk in a vice.
"There are ongoing battles around Pokrovsk. The enemy is trying to encircle the city from two sides: from the north and southeast, and simultaneously from the south and southwest," the representative noted in a commentary for Ukrinform.
Tregubov also confirms the enemy’s significant numerical superiority, which is why Ukraine has brought in reserves to contain the enemy in the direction of Dobropolye.
At the same time, Tregubov emphasized that the situation is gradually changing in favor of the Defense Forces, although the pace is not fast enough. According to him, the occupiers are using the tactics of small groups, which was also in the Kupyansk direction.
"They were accumulating infantry behind the first line and, when a certain number had gathered, they moved it forward. Now this group is already operating behind our first line. The task is to destroy it," added Tregubov.