Ukrainian Defense Forces Repel Approximately 260 Russian Attacks in Pokrovsk Direction, Says Oleksandr Syrskyi
The Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully repelled around 260 Russian attacks in the Pokrovsk direction last week, where the activity of the occupying army remains particularly high, according to Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
During a recent visit to the area under the responsibility of the 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of the Air Assault Forces, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that Ukrainian forces had successfully defended against approximately 260 Russian assaults in the Pokrovsk direction over the past week. This area has seen heightened activity from Russian troops, indicating a continued threat to Ukrainian sovereignty.
While on the ground, Syrskyi met with commanders from the 155th Separate Mechanized Brigade 'Anna Kyivska' and the 25th Separate Airborne 'Sicheslav' Brigade, as well as representatives from assault units. The discussions focused on the operational situation, strategies to enhance combat effectiveness, and potential future actions to counter Russian aggression.
In a post on his Telegram channel, Syrskyi emphasized, 'We discussed the details of the operational situation and the commanders' proposals for increasing the effectiveness of combat operations, as well as options for further actions. We paid special attention to countering enemy UAVs, particularly FPV drones.'
Additionally, he noted that he had discussions with the Commander of the UAV Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Robert Brovda, regarding initiatives aimed at increasing losses for the Russian army. According to Syrskyi, these actions are crucial for maintaining the morale of Ukrainian troops and for the destruction of enemy forces.
On March 28, the 7th Corps of the Air Assault Forces reported that Russian troops had intensified their offensive in the Pokrovsk agglomeration, with ongoing firefights in Hryshyne. However, the Defense Forces continue to hold back attacks and destroy enemy personnel and equipment. This indicates that the Ukrainian military is not only on the defensive but is also actively engaging the enemy.
By March 31, the 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces noted that Russian forces were unable to advance in Hryshyne and were experiencing shortages of food and water. The Corps emphasized that firefights in Hryshyne persist, but Ukrainian forces continue to maintain their positions. Meanwhile, analysts from DeepState reported on Russian advances west of Pokrovsk, raising concerns among local residents and military experts.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has analyzed the situation and indicated that the Russian Federation has already begun its spring-summer offensive on the fortified cities of the Donetsk region. This offensive could last for an extended period, considering that it took the occupiers nearly two years to capture Pokrovsk, which had a pre-war population of 60,000. This suggests that Russian forces intend to persist with their attacks despite significant losses.
Thus, the situation in the Pokrovsk direction remains tense, and the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue their struggle to protect the territory and population from the aggression of Russian troops. It is vital for Ukrainian society and the international community to support the efforts of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during this critical time.