Intensified clashes near Pokrovsk: Russian forces close in amid chaotic advances
As fighting around Pokrovsk intensifies, Russian forces have closed to within 1.5 kilometers of the city. Several Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups have been neutralized near the area. Russian artillery has been active since the early hours, with Russian troops attacking in groups of up to four.
The Ukrainian fighter "Muchnoy" warned that Russian forces might attempt to bypass the city from the southwest or launch a frontal assault. Attacks to the south of Pokrovsk are ramping up significantly, according to "Muchnoy," a service member from the Ukrainian Defense Forces. Artillery strikes have grown more frequent, with Russian advances characterized by chaotic movements in small groups. Intense pressure is being felt in the Peschane direction, with the Russians aiming to encircle Pokrovsk from the southwest.
The efforts to halt these storming attempts are showing limited success, even as reinforcements arrive. Communication between units is disrupted, and there has been criticism over rushing forces, including Cossacks, into battle without establishing proper lines of communication. The situation echoes previous events in Novogrodovsky, where the Russians took advantage of similar circumstances. The secondary Russian objective appears to be proceeding westward from Pokrovsk, possibly through a direct city assault. Multiple Russian reconnaissance groups have reportedly been eliminated in Pokrovsk over the last 24 hours.
The Pokrovsk City Military Administration did not report any shelling in their morning report, although village Zvereve in the Pokrovsky community was attacked according to officials. Amid escalating safety concerns, residents of the community are urged to evacuate, with evacuation trains available from Pavlograd-1 station.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that 47 enemy attacks have been repulsed near Myrolyubivka, Luch, Lysivka, Dachsanske, Novyi Trud, Peschane, Shevchenko, and Chumatske. The exact distance between Russian positions and Pokrovsk was not disclosed.
Earlier, General Oleksandr Lutsenko, commander of the Donetsk Operational-Tactical Grouping, was dismissed. He had played a pivotal role in the defense of Pokrovsk and Kurakhove.
Ukrainian journalist Yuriy Butusov reported on December 11 how Russian forces occupied a fortified district intended for Ukrainian defense between Novotroitske and Shevchenko on the Pokrovsk front. These vulnerabilities, according to the report, are the result of decisions made by the Donetsk operational command.