The battles that will decide the future of Pokrovsk, and by extension a large part of the Ukrainian front, have reached a critical point: the Russian army is operating in the city center, threatening the Ukrainian forces with complete encirclement.
At the same time, Ukraine is trying to strengthen critical infrastructure and secretly store equipment arriving from Europe in other areas of the front. Despite this, Russian forces are methodically changing their tactics, launching targeted strikes against logistical and critical defensive points, not only in Pokrovsk but on the wider Donbass front.
Russians crush the Ukrainian army along the Yanchur River
On October 20, the Russian army advanced in several areas from the city of Pokrovsk in the direction of Donetsk to the line along the Yanchur River in the direction of Dnipropetrovsk.
East of Pokrovsk, the Russian Army’s Center Army launched an offensive on the southern part of Myrnohrad from nearby Balahan, which had recently been liberated. It is noteworthy that Russian forces are already trying to advance on the eastern side of the large settlement, although Ukrainian forces are still resisting there.
The railway station in the center of Pokrovsk has fallen!
The Russian Central Army has made further gains in Pokrovsk, capturing the railway station building in the city center.
Kiev forces are still fighting in the Gornyak area and other areas in the southwest of the city.
This small pocket within the city is a dangerous battle zone, but Ukraine continues to send reinforcements in an attempt to hold it.
West of Pokrovsk, the Central Army has captured Lenino, also known as Molodetske, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
All hammers are hitting… Novopavlivka
The main target of the ongoing offensive in this area is Novopavlivka, which is just a few kilometers southwest of Lenino.
The next stop for Russian forces will likely be Novomykolaivka, just south of Lenino. From there, forces could move directly towards Biliakivka and then Novopavlivka. Notably, Russian forces had already liberated Filiya, southwest of Novopavlivka.
Thus, Kiev forces in Novopavlivka could soon find themselves trapped in the larger settlement.
Attack from Pryvillya, Cross Yanchur, Hammer at Pokrovsk
Advancing west towards Dnipropetrovsk, the Russian Eastern Army continues to advance south along the Yanchur River.
Russian forces reportedly launched an attack from Pryvillya, crossed the river to the south, and liberated Zlahoda.
Local reports indicate that the settlement will be liberated very soon, perhaps within a few days. They are not expected to stop there.
Attacks are expected on Rybne, then Pryvil’ne and Pavlivka further south along the river. Kiev’s defenses along the Yanchur are clearly collapsing, and once the line along the river is fully secured, the Eastern Army will likely begin advancing towards Huliapole, a crucial enclave for Kiev forces in the direction of Zaporizhzhia.
In general, Kiev forces are facing real problems from Pokrovsk to the Yanchur River.
Ukraine continues to prioritize the defense of the former, despite all the recent setbacks there. Leaks west of the river and a possible breakout towards Novopavlivka are expected, although this is less likely at present.
Russian Army Kicks Into Liman – Ukrainians Also Dangerously Encircled at Novoselivka
At the same time, Russian forces advanced near the town of Krasny Liman in the direction of Donetsk, threatening to trap Kiev forces behind the Siverskyi Donets River.
North of Krasny Liman, Army South broke through Ukrainian defenses north and west of Novoselivka, reaching Yarova, which was just above the Siverskyi Donets. Kiev forces are almost surrounded in the center and eastern parts of Novoselivka, with Russian forces entering Yarova.
The capture of Yarova, which could be a few days away, could signal the beginning of the collapse of Ukrainian defenses along the river, as far south as Krasny Liman, where the Russian army’s Southern Army has also made advances.
Russian forces have advanced north and northwest of Yampil, as well as west of Torske.
They are reportedly about 3.5 kilometers from the southern entrance to Krasny Liman.
Kiev forces are fighting hard to maintain control of Yampil, as capturing the settlement would allow the Russian army to cut off the main road connecting Krasny Liman to the city of Seversk, further south in Donetsk.
More importantly, Russian forces could attack Ozerne, which lies along the Siverskyi Donets.
A large cauldron is forming from the south and east of the Liman
Such a breakthrough would effectively trap all of Kiev’s forces in Krasny Liman and the areas south and east of it, forming a large cauldron. The latest reports from Krasny Liman indicate that some Ukrainian forces are already fleeing for fear of being trapped on the west bank of the river.
Also, a notable increase in casualties is contributing to the emerging state of panic. This situation shows how the Siversky Donets, once a natural defensive line, now poses a real challenge to Kiev’s forces.
With most of the bridges in the river area destroyed and the remaining crossings limited to fragile, temporary structures, Ukraine’s road supply routes are severely restricted.
Moreover, these roads are already within range of Russian ground and air fire. As Russian forces approach, the defense of Krasny Liman looks increasingly tenuous. Kiev may focus on Sloviansk, its next critical stronghold.
