Operation on Dobropillia axis finished, Pokrovsk still holding, Ukrainian commander says

Lieutenant General Oleh Apostol, Commander of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, stated this during a televised broadcast, Ukrinform reports.

“As of now, we have preliminarily completed our operation on the Dobropillia axis. I believe the high command made the right decision,” Apostol said.

According to him, the escalation began near Pokrovsk, and the enemy had planned to advance from the Dobropillia direction toward Barvinkove.

“The problem began in Pokrovsk, and it kept escalating. The enemy also planned to break through from the Dobropillia axis toward Barvinkove and fully cut off Donetsk region. Now their appetite has waned somewhat,” Apostol noted.

He added that the enemy is currently attempting to attack Dobropillia using marines from the east and units of the 76th Division from the south. Despite this, Ukrainian units continue to hold Pokrovsk.

“Pokrovsk is holding… Our units are in Pokrovsk, and certain areas are already under our control. I don’t think the enemy will be reporting that they have fully captured it, and that won’t happen anytime soon,” the commander said.

Apostol emphasized that urban fighting will significantly complicate the Russian advance, as happened in Toretsk and Chasiv Yar.

“They will be forced to get embroiled in urban fighting in Pokrovsk. This will be similar to Toretsk… Chasiv Yar is still holding, so it will be difficult for them,” he added.

He also noted the possibility of increased escalation due to the activity of the 76th Division, which “has its own actions and plans.”

As reported by Ukrinform, 311 combat engagements between Ukraine’s Defense Forces and Russian invaders were recorded on the front line over the past 24 hours.