Most battles now recorded near Toretsk, rather than Pokrovsk – military
This was reported to Ukrinform by Viktor Trehubov, Spokesperson for the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group of Troops.
"This is possibly the first time in recent months that the Pokrovsk sector has moved to second place in terms of the number of clashes. It was almost always first. But now, the Toretsk sector has taken the lead. Meanwhile, Pokrovsk has seen a significant decline as Russian forces have quieted down there after their failed attempt to advance and reach the highway leading to Dnipropetrovsk region. Following unsuccessful Russian attacks, Ukrainian forces launched counterattacks in some areas, forcing the enemy to regroup and shift their attacks to other sectors," Trehubov explained.
He also noted that active battles are ongoing near Toretsk, Chasiv Yar, and in the Novopavlivka sector.
"The most difficult situation right now is in the area where Kostiantynivka, Andriivka, and Ulakly are located. The situation there is truly very difficult," the spokesperson emphasized.
Additionally, according to Trehubov, Russian forces are experiencing supply and manpower issues on the Pokrovsk direction.
"They are complaining about problems in the Pokrovsk direction. The reason is clear: first, they extended themselves into a long 'pocket' to encircle the town, but this pocket has started to collapse. Second, they have suffered very heavy losses and are now facing a shortage of drones and even personnel," Trehubov added.
When asked whether Russian forces might resume their offensive in the Pokrovsk sector after regrouping during the spring-summer campaign, the spokesperson replied:
"It is too early to say. However, if their goal remains to militarily reach the administrative borders of the Donetsk region, as they have declared, then it is clear that they cannot achieve this without capturing Pokrovsk. It serves as a key strategic point, at least in the southern part of our area of responsibility. So, they will either have to attempt this again or abandon their plan altogether."
According to Trehubov, if Russia aims to fully capture Donetsk region, it will take them a significant amount of time.
"The situation is as follows: in February, their offensive pace slowed to its lowest level since the beginning of the war, even as they tried to advance in Donbas. Meanwhile, their losses, if not at a maximum, are close to it. At the current pace, they will run out of troops before they reach their objective," he stated.
He further noted that it is highly unlikely that Russian forces will be able to occupy Donetsk region by May 9.
"Over the past month, despite maximum efforts, the enemy not only failed to capture Pokrovsk but did not even manage to encircle a quarter of it. So why would we assume that in the next two months, they could take Pokrovsk and all the other cities in Donetsk region, including Kramatorsk and Sloviansk?" Trehubov concluded.
As Ukrinform previously reported, Russian forces had been actively trying to improve their position in the Pokrovsk sector, including unsuccessful attempts to recapture the village of Pishchane.
