Battle for Pokrovsk: Russians announce destruction of Ukrainian special forces sent to defend 'gateway to Donetsk'
Russian soldiers in Pokrovsk. Photo source: Dmitry Yagodkin / Zuma Press / Profimedia
Russian forces defeated a team of Ukrainian special forces that was rushed to the eastern city of Pokrovsk to prevent Russian troops from advancing further into the city, Russia's defense ministry said, according to Reuters.
Russia wants to conquer the entire Donbas region, which includes Lugansk and Donetsk regions. Ukraine still controls about 10 percent of Donbas, an area of about 5,000 square km in western Donetsk.
Capturing the city of Pokrovsk, called the “gateway to Donetsk” by Russian media, and the northeastern city of Kostiantinivka, which Russian forces are also trying to encircle, would give Moscow a platform to advance north toward the two major Ukrainian-held cities remaining in Donetsk, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.
Ukraine said it deployed special forces to Pokrovsk earlier in the week, landing a Black Hawk helicopter. At least 10 Ukrainian servicemen were seen disembarking from a helicopter in a field in a video seen by Reuters.
Russia's Defense Ministry said it had killed the Ukrainian military intelligence special forces group.
“All 11 people who got off the helicopter were killed,” the ministry said, adding that Russian forces were advancing into Pokrovsk and clearing the area.
A GUR source denies that Russian forces killed Ukrainian special forces
Russian forces, the military department said, repulsed an attempt by Ukraine's 425th Separate Assault Regiment “Skala” to break out of Hryshyne, northwest of Pokrovsk, as Moscow troops try to encircle Ukrainian forces in the area.
The fighting around Hryshyne is significant because it indicates that Russian forces are close to cutting Ukrainian supply lines to Pokrovsk.
According to a source in the Ukrainian military intelligence services quoted by Ukrainska Pravda, the claim about the destruction of the Ukrainian landing party is false. According to the source, stabilization actions under the leadership of the head of military intelligence (GUR), Kiril Budanov, continue in Pokrovsk.
Reuters says it was unable to verify either side's battlefield information due to reporting restrictions imposed by both camps.
Ukraine's only mine producing coking coal, used in the once vast steel industry, is located about 10 km west of Pokrovsk. Ukrainian steelmaker Metinvest said in January it had suspended mining operations in the area.
Russian forces used a pincer movement, or double envelopment, a military maneuver in which troops simultaneously attack both flanks of an enemy formation, to almost completely encircle Pokrovsk and threaten Ukrainian supply lines, then sent small units and drones to disrupt Ukrainian logistics, Reuters notes.
In essence, Russia's tactics created what Russian military bloggers called a gray area in the city where neither side was in control but which was extremely difficult, and expensive, to defend.
The fighting for Pokrovsk and the encirclement could take some time, which could delay Russia's official announcement.
