Russians’ attempts to surround Pokrovsk and close combat with North Korean soldiers: the situation is complicated, but is it controlled
22 January 13:36
The situation at the front remains difficult. According to the General Staff, the enemy, using its superiority in manpower and equipment, is continuously attacking our positions. Ukrainian defenders are steadfastly holding back the onslaught of the occupiers, inflicting significant losses on the enemy. But can the situation be called controlled and, moreover, can we seize the initiative on the battlefield?
Pokrovske direction: is encirclement possible?
Situation. The enemy is attacking intensively in the Pokrovske direction. Russian troops are trying to outflank Pokrovsk from the west and east, but it is too early to talk about possible encirclement. The Russians are trying to infiltrate in small groups and use bypass maneuvers, but the enemy forces lack the strength and means to fully assault the city. Despite the Russians’ attempts to create a threat of encirclement, Ukrainian troops are controlling the situation and preventing the enemy from breaking through. According to the “Khortytsia” group, a Russian column consisting of a tank, an armored personnel carrier and an infantry unit attempted to storm Ukrainian positions. However, their attack failed.
“The tank exploded on minefields. And the enemy infantry landed in the nearest hill, where they were warmly greeted by our artillerymen. FPV drones operators performed the final clearing by dropping ammunition on the enemy,” Khortytsia said.
As a result of this operation, enemy armored vehicles were destroyed and some Russian troops were eliminated.
What do the military say? According to military sources, Russian troops have reduced the intensity of their attacks by regrouping their forces and pulling up reserves. However, in some areas, such as Kotlyne-Udachne, the situation remains tense as the enemy has intensified its offensive. A military officer’s telegram channel describes the fighting between Novoyelizavetivka and Novovasylivka.
“The enemy tried to storm the forest plantations using vehicles and buggies, but was unsuccessful. The enemy is constantly shelling the remaining positions in Novovasylivka with heavy weapons. Unfortunately, we suffered losses of both 200 and prisoners,” writes the “Officer” Telegram channel
The situation in Pokrovsk is rapidly deteriorating. According to the military, the city, which used to be a rear guard, is now actually turning into a ruin.
Kramatorsk direction
Situation. In eastern Ukraine, there is a risk of losing the town of Chasiv Yar, which is an important height and has reliable fortifications. The retreat of Ukrainian troops from this town could open up an additional route for Russian forces to attack Kostyantynivka from the east. Fighting continues in the urban area of Chasovyi Yar. Russians have also recently advanced in the city center amid ongoing Russian offensives in the area. The Defense Forces also repelled the enemy’s attempts to advance near the village of Fedorivka. Mayske and Stupochki came under air strikes.
What do the military say? The Russian military failed to hold their positions on the territory of the plant in Chasovyi Yar. Currently, small arms fire continues in the area of the plant. This was reported by Dmytro Zaporozhets, spokesman for the Luhansk military operation center. Weather conditions, including thick fog and limited visibility, allowed Russians to concentrate their forces in the northern part of the city. Meanwhile, soldiers of the 18th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine destroyed Russian infantry in the center of Chasiv Yar, Donetsk region. Occupants’ infantry continues its active attempts to infiltrate into the city, and Ukrainian Defense Forces units destroy them.
Fighting in the Toretsk sector: Russian troops intensify attacks
Situation. Russian troops are trying to break through the Ukrainian defense in the Toretsk sector. According to Dmytro Zaporozhets, spokesman for the Luhansk military operation, the situation remains dynamic, and the enemy is constantly changing tactics.
“The enemy is using cannon artillery, mortars, multiple rocket launchers, FPV drones and cluster bombs. Over the last day alone, 118 artillery attacks were registered,” noted Zaporozhets.
Of particular concern is the use of cluster bombs by the Russians, which were actively used in the summer to destroy shelters and urban infrastructure.
What do the military say? According to Yevhen Alkhimov, a spokesman for the 28th separate mechanized brigade named after the Knights of the Winter Campaign, the enemy has changed its approach to attacks. Instead of large infantry groups, they are now using small assault groups of 2-3 people.
“The Russians are actively engaging so-called ‘camels’ – soldiers who carry ammunition to support the attacking groups. In addition, there are reconnaissance men in civilian clothes engaged in mining the territory. For example, we recorded a case when a civilian with a sack was laying anti-tank mines on the road,” said Alkhimov.
The situation in the Toretsk sector remains tense but under control of the Ukrainian defense forces.
Kursk region: close combat with DPR soldiers
The Ukrainian Defense Forces have regained control over the villages of Makhnivka in Kursk region and Zelenivka in Donetsk region.
The Ukrainian military successfully repelled a large-scale offensive by Russian troops in the Kursk region, inflicting significant losses on them.
“The assault was jointly repelled by the fighters of the 47th Magura Brigade and their colleagues from the 82nd Brigade. The Russian troops acted according to the usual scenario: they moved columns of equipment and used a large number of manpower. Thanks to the coordinated work of the infantry, artillery, intelligence and unmanned aerial vehicle battalion, the enemy was stopped,” the 47th Brigade reported.
According to Ukrainian defenders, enemy losses amounted to:
- 3 tanks (with a total value of over $6 million);
- 7 armored personnel carriers (worth more than $7 million);
- 35 killed and 62 wounded.
During one of the assaults, aerial reconnaissance discovered a wounded North Korean soldier.
“He had a wounded hand and jaw, and was carrying a grenade, a knife, and sausage. During the evacuation, he tried to commit suicide by hitting his head on a concrete pillar,” says paratrooper Pavlo.
Defense Forces officer Yevhen with the call sign “Tykhyi” exclusively with
“This is first-hand information, I know about one case for sure, where our military engaged in combat with North Korean mercenaries. My impressions of the work of our soldiers are very positive. It was an extremely professional action that demonstrated a high level of training and interaction between the units,” says Yevhen “Tykhyi”.
The officer noted that earlier there were difficulties with coordination in some areas. However, this battle was evidence of positive changes.
“There is no such problem now. The interaction between the units was at a very high level. I was even surprised, because this area and this brigade had less positive feedback before. Now their professionalism is really impressive,” said Yevhen “Tykhyi”.
According to various sources, the Ukrainian Defense Forces currently control about 500 square kilometers of Kursk region.
Kupyansk direction
Situation. Russian troops are using makeshift boats to cross the Oskil River in Kharkiv region and concentrate their forces on the Ukrainian shore for further attacks. This was stated by Major Viktor Tregubov, spokesman for the Khortytsia Operational and Strategic Grouping. According to him, the occupants are particularly active in trying to cross the river at night, using various types of inflatable and motorized boats capable of carrying five to ten people.
“The Russians are trying to cross the Oskil on makeshift boats and gain a foothold in the forest plantations where they are waiting for the arrival of the next groups until a critical number of fighters accumulate,” noted Viktor Tregubov.
Earlier, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, visited the Kupyansk sector and noted that the operational situation remains “tense.
What do the military say? Intense fighting continues in the Kharkiv region near Dvorichne, but Russian troops are unable to set up crossings across the Oskil River and ensure the transfer of necessary resources. This was reported by Yuriy Fedorenko, commander of the Achilles battalion of the 92nd separate assault brigade named after Ivan Sirko, a chieftain of the Ukrainian army. According to him, the enemy is forced to use boats and rafts, which greatly complicates the transfer of forces and equipment for Russian troops.
“The inability to set up ferries is a critical factor for the enemy. This means that their attempts to accumulate forces on the right bank of the Oskil River are significantly complicated,” the commander emphasized.
Fedorenko compared the situation near Dvorichne to the fighting near Novomlynsk, when Russian troops tried to gain a foothold in difficult weather conditions, but their advance was stabilized by Ukrainian forces.
The situation at the front remains tense and dynamic. The enemy is actively changing tactics and trying to use engineering structures to advance. Despite this, the Ukrainian Defense Forces are effectively disrupting the occupiers’ plans, causing significant losses in manpower and equipment. Although the situation remains difficult, each of the areas demonstrates the high professionalism and coordination of the Ukrainian military, which allows them to restrain the onslaught and maintain strategic positions.
