Ukrainian forces push up to 3 km into Russian defenses near Pokrovsk – Bratchuk

Ukrainian forces have managed to penetrate up to three kilometers into Russian defensive lines in some areas near Pokrovsk on the Donetsk front, according to Serhii Bratchuk, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Volunteer Army "South."

According to Ukrinform, Bratchuk spoke about the frontline situation in comments to the UATV information portal.

"The Donetsk sector remains the Russian army's main strategic priority. The enemy is committing significant reserves in an attempt to break through Ukrainian defenses, expand its control zone, and reach the administrative borders of the Donetsk region. However, the Defense Forces are holding their positions and carrying out counterattacks in certain areas," the report said.

Bratchuk stressed that Russian troops have encountered serious difficulties on the Oleksandrivka and Huliaipole axes due to successful Ukrainian counterattacks.

"Speaking about Pokrovsk, I cannot name the exact location for obvious reasons, but the Defense Forces have managed to conduct not just tactical counterattacks, but operations that can be described as breakthrough actions. In some locations, our troops managed to penetrate three kilometers deep into the defenses of the Russian occupiers. And the operation is ongoing," he said.

In addition to the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian forces are also conducting counterattacks near Kostiantynivka, Lyman, and Myrnohrad.

"Speaking about Pokrovsk, small aerial assets are operating very actively today. The Russians are trying to attack Hryshyne and Rodynske. They have an almost manic desire to break into Kostiantynivka and entrench themselves in administrative buildings in order to wage urban warfare, pull in forces to create bridgeheads, and continue advancing along the broader Donetsk front," Bratchuk said.

He added that Ukrainian forces regularly strike Russian logistics hubs and supply routes on the Pokrovsk axis.

"There have been strikes deep inside temporarily occupied territory against targets linked to enemy logistics. This affects the intensity of combat operations and Russia's ability to continue its war of aggression. It is obvious that the Russians will not reduce their frontline activity anytime soon. However, replenishing their losses has become a serious problem for them. Daily enemy losses consistently reach around a thousand killed and wounded. These are heavy losses for the Russians, forcing them to use strategic reserves for other purposes – plugging gaps in their defenses instead of trying to break through ours," Bratchuk concluded.