Ukrainian troops have recaptured 182.8 square kilometres of lands in Pokrovsk in eastern Donetsk region and cleared another 230.1 square lilometers of Russian “sabotage and reconnaissance groups”, the General Staff of Ukrainian Armed Forces reported on Thursday.
In an update of frontline situation posted on Facebook, the General Staff said at least 13,945 Russian servicemen have been neutralized in the operation in Dobropillia, including 8,402 killed, 5,419 wounded, and 124 captured. In addition, Ukraine has inflicted heavy losses on the Russian army units in this direction of the frontline. Thus, Ukraine has destroyed 1,289 pieces of Russian weapons and military equipment, including 154 artillery systems, 101 armored combat vehicles, 32 tanks, 5 MLRS, 435 vehicles, 562 motorcycles, and over 4,000 drones.
The reports of Ukraine’s successful counteroffensive in Pokrovsk came after Russia struck with a FAB high-explosive bomb a strategic bridge connecting Pokrovsk and Oleksandrivka in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region
Being a strategic logistics hub, Pokrovsk remains one of the most contested frontline cities in eastern Donetsk region. Russian forces are pressing attacks from multiple directions - south, southeast, and southwest - with an aim to sever supply lines and possibly encircle the city. Ukrainian troops have been trying to slow down Russia’s slow by steady advances in the direction of embattled Pokrovsk in Donetsk region to prevent them from reaching the Dnipropetrovsk region. Ukrainian defenders are holding ground through counterattacks, drone strikes, and defensive operations, though gains are limited and under constant pressure.
