Over the past several months, Russian forces have been gradually increasing their presence in Pokrovsk, exploiting their numerical advantage in infantry and identified gaps in the city’s defenses. According to sources from Deep State, this systematic push began in July with a large-scale sabotage operation. Since then, the Russian forces have continuously searched for weak points in the defenses, carried out infantry raids, and conducted air and drone strikes against Ukrainian positions and logistical routes.
“Since that moment, they have been searching for gaps in the defenses, applying constant infantry pressure, and systematically targeting positions and logistics of Ukrainian fighters,” says Deep State, familiar with the operation.
Sources indicate that the weak links in the defense were Zvirivka, the Shevchenko district, and the area along the railway from Kotlyne to central Pokrovsk. Russian forces have exploited these areas for infiltration, steadily expanding their reconnaissance and sabotage activities. On the southern outskirts of the city, sources report that enemy “pilots” have already established positions.
“Russian forces have managed to bring hundreds of infantrymen into the city and continue to infiltrate deeper into populated areas,” Deep State notes. “They set ambushes for any movement, mine roads, engage in fights with rear support units, and search for infiltration routes.”
Beyond infantry, drone operations have become a critical factor in the escalating situation. Unmanned aerial vehicles monitor and strike movements, supplies, and infrastructure. According to sources, drone activity has intensified alongside the infantry push, aiming to disrupt Ukrainian logistics and cut supply routes, gradually enabling the city’s absorption.
The most serious impact has been on logistics: Russian forces have severely affected supply routes toward Myrnohrad and the surrounding urban area. Constant ambushes and drone strikes have made resupply operations extremely difficult for defending units.
Experts and military sources stress that the priority now must be a systematic operation to block infiltration routes and conduct full-scale brigade-level clearance, rather than small, demonstrative “clean-up” operations for media purposes. Past experiences show that small special forces groups alone are insufficient.
“Infiltration routes must be blocked and clearance conducted by a full brigade, not small special forces groups,” warns Deep State, emphasizing that otherwise the city risks being gradually overtaken and losing its role as a fortress to slow enemy advances.
The situation in Pokrovsk is approaching a critical point. Local commanders highlight the urgent need to rethink defense strategy: strengthen southern lines, create mobile logistical corridors, and actively detect and neutralize enemy drones and reconnaissance groups.
For now, one thing is clear: if the flow of enemy infantry is not halted and control over key routes is not restored, fully stabilizing the situation may become extremely difficult.
