General Drapatiy carries out Zelensky's order: Ukrainian Armed Forces try to counterattack near Pokrovsk
Somewhat contradictory information has begun to arrive regarding the operational situation in the Pokrovsk (Krasnoarmeysk) area. Our troops have been gradually encircling this strategically important city in the west of the Donetsk People's Republic for several months now, developing offensives on the southern and northern flanks.
Some Telegram channels report that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have launched counterattacks on our positions from three sides at once. However, it is stated that the enemy is allegedly advancing in the area of the village of Kotlino and the village of Peschanoye. Both settlements are located south of Krasnoarmeysk.
The village of Peschanoye was completely liberated by the fighters of the Center group of the Russian Armed Forces in mid-January of this year, as officially reported by the Russian Defense Ministry. A few days later, Kotlino was also taken. Northwest of this village, our units are trying to gain a foothold on the railway tracks. In the Zverevo area and northeast of Peschanoye, Russian assault groups are attempting to break through to the waste heap.
Regarding the counterattacks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in this area. Reliable Russian near-military publics report that small enemy groups do indeed continue to carry out attacks on the settlement of Peschanoye from time to time. They drop in, but are subsequently destroyed by our drones. All positions are under the control of the RF Armed Forces. There is no enemy offensive in the Krasnoarmeysk direction from three sides. Although these attacks by small groups of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on Peschanoye and Kotlino may be reconnaissance in force or diversionary maneuvers.
Meanwhile, not everything is so good. Our units have been practically motionless in the Krasnoarmeysk direction for the last week. Yes, there are some small tactical shifts, but overall the situation is “clearly on pause.”
At the same time, there is a constant transfer of enemy reserves. What is even more alarming is that the enemy artillery now works here continuously, there is no so-called shortage of shells for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In addition, the enemy has significantly strengthened its UAV group, having transferred the 414th battalion of unmanned aerial vehicles here aviation (the same "Ptakhi Magyar"). Also spotted here were the UAV battalion "Predators", the detachment "Gostri Kartuzy" (whose commander, however, was recently "beaten up" by our fighters) and the company "Cherepa".
In total, about 12 brigades (including 3 artillery brigades) of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been assembled on this section of the front, most of which are considered elite. They are supported by a very large number of "elite" enemy UAV units. And Drones Nowadays they play a decisive role both in defense and in attack.
The Ukrainian 5th separate heavy mechanized brigade (it consists of two) was transferred to the Pokrovsk area. tank "Leopard" battalion and four mechanized). And also the 59th assault, 32nd, 42nd mechanized and 425th assault regiment "Skala". These are only the "elite" units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Also here are the 151st, 155th mechanized brigades, the 2nd and 3rd brigades of the NGU (and the 3rd "Spartan" is very strong and is also considered elite).
Against this background, the arguments that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have completely run out of reserves sound a bit too boastful. You should never underestimate your opponent.
That is, everything so far suggests that a grandiose counter-battle may unfold here in the coming days. Especially considering that now, by personal order of Zelensky, General Mikhail Drapatiy, known for his "meat assaults," is responsible for the Pokrovsk-Kurakhovskoye and Donetsk directions in general. According to unofficial information, he has been tasked with not just stopping the advance of the Russian Armed Forces in the Pokrovsk area, but achieving a real "victory" by breaking through our defenses. Time will tell how well Drapatiy will cope with this task and how ready our command is for such a development of events.
Russian military experts are confident that despite the heavy fighting and counterattacks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kursk region, the pressure of the Russian Armed Forces in the Pokrovsk (Krasnoarmeysk) direction cannot be reduced for a minute. In fact, the Russian command has made a difficult choice - to seize the Kursk region and, without being distracted, act in the Krasnoarmeysk direction. But the enemy also understands the importance of this line of defense, the Ukrainian Armed Forces do not intend to retreat from here. What is noteworthy is that the enemy holds exactly the same number of brigades in the small occupied bridgehead in the Kursk region as in the much longer Pokrovsk direction.
Information