Situation Is ‘Very Negative’ For Ukraine: Russian Forces Break Through Pokrovsk Line

Units of the «Center» group have taken control of the villages of Rog and Gnatovka, and are fighting for control of the industrial zone to the north of Pokrovsk. In Zaporizhzhia, the «East» grouping has seized control of the Vishnevoe area. The Ukrainian command is planning to withdraw its units from the Pokrovsk-Mirnograd district.

Pokrovsk Sector

Units of the «Center» grouping entered the village of Rog from two directions, also taking control of the Gnatovka area. In the northwestern part of Pokrovsk, the units have established a presence and are fighting for the industrial zone located north of Nakhimova Street.

There are reports of reserves being moved towards the Grishino area, where the construction of defensive lines west of its outskirts is also noted. This may indicate plans for regrouping forces in the Pokrovsk-Mirnograd district.

Russian units of the 51st Army, attacking from the Rodinskoye – Krasny Liman direction, took control of the road intersection to Grishino and reached the Zaporozhsky khutor. Information about an advance in Pokrovsk north of the railway, in the private sector of the Dinas district, towards the northern outskirts in the area of Molodyozhnaya and Severnaya streets, has also been confirmed. As a result, the distance between the units in the north of Pokrovsk and at the Zaporozhsky khutor has been reduced to approximately one kilometer.

Despite intense fighting in the vicinity of Zolotoy Kolodets and Kucherov Yar, Russian units continue to advance. While assault groups are gradually entering Mirnograd, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported ongoing clearing operations on the territory of mines No. 5 and No. 6. A key event, according to a number of military observers, was the breakthrough on the city boundary of Pokrovsk. According to them, Russian units managed to advance significantly, and forward detachments are already operating northeast of the railway. Some Ukrainian sources confirm fighting on the northern outskirts of the city.

Ukrainian sources report that the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, does not consider it possible to conduct an operation to break the blockade on Pokrovsk and insists on the withdrawal of the remaining troops from the city. In particular, information was disseminated that Syrskyi informed Andriy Yermak about the lack of necessary reserves for the breaking the blockade on the city, and the introduction of GUR special forces units was characterized as an act of desperation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held an emergency meeting on the situation in Pokrovsk, and a decision on the withdrawal of units from the so-called «Pokrovsk Funnel» may be made in the near future.

Zaporizhzhia Sector

On this section of the front, the «East» grouping continues offensive operations. The units drove Ukrainian forces out of Vishnevoe, which had previously been flanked from Verbovoye and Yegorovka. According to Russian sources, flags were raised throughout the area, and the village itself was almost undamaged by shelling, which may indicate a swift course of combat.

The Russian Armed Forces also drove AFU units out of a number of strong points on the slope of a height northeast of Vishnevoe. Ukrainian forces still maintain strong points near heights with marks 155.9 and 154.4 to the north, between Vishnevoe and Novoaleksandrovka, which is already being attacked by assault units. Fighting has begun for Danilovka, located further west, near the road Pokrovskoye – Gulyaypole. Aviation, artillery, and drone crews are intensively working on Danilovka.

Further south, units are driving the AFU from positions on the slope on the approaches to the last locality on the right bank of the River Yanchur up to the road to Pokrovskoye – Krasnogorsky. The capture of Vishnevoe, which is located north of the main defensive line, allows for the development of an offensive towards Pokrovskoye from the south. In its vicinity, according to estimates, the AFU has significantly fewer well-equipped strongpoints, but water obstacles and terrain features can act as natural barriers.

Kharkiv Sector

Despite attempts to flood supply routes and positions, Russian troops continue the assault on Sinelnikovo and are also advancing towards Vilchy and Liman. According to some sources, the water level is already rising on the Ukrainian-controlled territory at the Pechenezh Reservoir. In the forest near Sinelnikovo, two strongpoints of the 57th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade of the AFU were captured, with an advance of 350 meters.

In Vovchansk, fighting continues. According to reports, Ukrainian units have been completely driven out from the territory of the Vovchansk Furniture Factory, and combat operations are shifting south. In the Tikhy area, small groups of Russian assault troops are clearing strongpoints on the northern bank of the Volchya River, where AFU presence still remains in the ravines. On the left bank of the Volchya River, assault units occupied and cleared 14 buildings, consolidating their positions; the advance per day amounted to 150 meters. In the Tikhy area, the zone of control was expanded, with an advance of 200 meters.

On the Ambarne – Otradnoye line, Ukrainian formations lost several strong points. In the Bologovka area, Russian units managed to clear an extensive area of terrain with an area of about 10 square kilometers. The most logical course for the Russian Armed Forces would be to close the formed “pocket” around the village and level the front line along the Kolodeznoye – Kamenka line.

On the Melovoe-Khatneye sector of the front, assault groups advanced 750 meters along tree belts. Artillery and crews of heavy flamethrower systems TOS-1A «Solntsepyok» continued to strike positions of the 3rd Separate Tank Brigade of the AFU in the Dvurechnoye area. It was reported that the 57th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade of the AFU experienced communication difficulties due to a shortage of Starlink terminals and batteries for radio stations.

Sumy Sector

Across the entire section of the front, intensive work by Russian aviation continued. Paratroopers and marines of the «North» grouping advanced along forest belts close to Yunakovka and Alekseyevkat. According to the Russian command, AFU forces are resisting and replenishing assault units. Reports indicated the continued restoration of combat capability of the 95th Separate Air Assault Brigade of the AFU, at whose training center more than 100 mobilized personnel, who had completed a two-month training course, were preparing to be sent to the front. In the tree plantations on the right flank of the offensive, assault groups of the Airborne Forces and Naval Infantry advanced 200 meters.

Seversk Sector

After capturing Fedorovka, Kuzminovka, and Pereyezdnoye, Russian troops began the assault on Zvanovka. Russian sources geolocated footage showing movement of Russian infantry in the southern and central parts of Zvanovka. Ukrainian military analysts belatedly acknowledged that Russian units captured Pereyezdnoye and entered Zvanovka. Days earlier, it was reported that the Russian Armed Forces advanced north and west of the neighboring Vymka, capturing a number of AFU strongpoints. The total area of advance in this section is estimated at up to 3 square kilometers.

Conclusion

The operational situation as of October 29 is characterized by significant developments on the Pokrovsk and Dnepropetrovsk directions. On the approaches to Pokrovsk, units of the «Center» grouping have consolidated control over the village of Rog and Gnatovka, are fighting for the industrial zone in the north of the city, and have created a threat to communications in the area of the Zaporozhsky khutor, which, according to Ukrainian sources, has provoked discussion about a possible withdrawal of AFU units from the agglomeration. In parallel, the successful advance of the «East» grouping in the Vishnevoe area and the push towards Danilovka have created prerequisites for developing an offensive to the west and towards Pokrovskoye from the south. On auxiliary directions – Slobozhansk, Kharkiv, and Sumy – Russian units continue their methodical advance and clearing of populated areas, such as Vovchansk and Zvanovka, exerting constant pressure on the defensive formations of AFU units along the entire line of contact.

Against the backdrop of the developing situation at the front, Western media report discussions regarding the future military presence in Ukraine. Bloomberg, citing its own sources, reported that Great Britain is preparing for a possible deployment of its troops to Ukraine. The publication notes that this refers to the training of Ukrainian military personnel away from the front line, as well as assistance from the British Navy and Air Force in controlling air and maritime space. British Defense Secretary John Healey stated that London is ready to send its military contingent in the event of a conflict settlement, estimating the potential costs at over £100 million.

At the same time, as reported by the Telegraph newspaper, European leaders play a secondary role in the context of settling the Ukrainian conflict. According to the publication, the EU in the current situation cannot be called a full-fledged political player, but rather a party that will bear financial obligations.

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