Today, there is significant news from the Pokrovsk direction in Donetsk Oblast. Here, the battle for Shevchenko is reaching a new intensity, as Russian commanders have thrown hundreds of soldiers into the Ukrainian meat grinder. Ukrainians are turning this determination back against them—driving a spear into Russian advancements while securing a ring of fortresses around the town.
Ukrainians continue their counteroffensive to fully recapture the key settlement of Shevchenko. Strategically located on elevated terrain, it plays a critical role in the broader Ukrainian plan to establish a fortified defense line around Pokrovsk on the high ground.
With the infamous mud season intensifying, low-lying areas will soon become swampy traps—bogging down Russian troop movements and turning supply runs into logistical nightmares. In contrast, Ukrainian forces aim to establish fortified positions on drier, more manageable terrain, with direct and secure lines to Pokrovsk itself. In this way, they hope to turn the seasonal shift into a strategic advantage: Russians stuck in the mud below, limited to pushing forward infantry on foot or even using donkeys to carry supplies—while Ukrainians maintain control from above.
Skala Regiment leads deadly push
Currently, Shevchenko remains a fiercely contested battleground. After breaking through Russian lines and entering the settlement, Ukrainian units moved quickly to cut off Russian reinforcement routes. However, Russian commanders clearly understand the settlement’s importance and are determined not to let it go without a fight.
Russian forces have been funneling reinforcements into the area in constant waves—often large infantry groups—aimed at disrupting clearing operations and preventing Ukrainians from consolidating control. Russian troops are using the tree belts near the local railway to approach Shevchenko with some cover from Ukrainian drones, but this tactic is proving increasingly costly. With so many units packed into narrow corridors and exposed to coordinated drone and artillery strikes, Russian losses are mounting.
Meanwhile, the front line inside the settlement remains fluid, marked by brutal close-quarters combat and drone strikes—as seen in numerous geolocated videos. The action is relentless. Positions are often taken and retaken within hours, as both sides fight for control of buildings, streets, and basements.
Still, Ukrainian momentum continues to build. At the heart of this push is the Ukrainian Skala Regiment—a battle-hardened unit that has become the tip of the spear in Ukraine’s Pokrovsk counteroffensive. Known for its precision, adaptability, and integration of drone warfare into frontline tactics, the Skala Regiment has been repeatedly deployed to lead critical breakthroughs. Their operations in Shevchenko have been instrumental in slicing through Russian defenses, with the unit publishing geolocated videos showcasing their deadly efficiency.
Drones and mud shift the war
As a result, Russian losses have been staggering—with over 1,100 troops killed in and around Shevchenko alone. Ukrainian infantry, supported by drone operators, have turned the village into a death trap for invading units.
These losses are especially damaging given the broader context of the Pokrovsk front, where Russia has deployed around 70,000 troops, making it one of their most heavily reinforced sectors. Yet, with Ukraine’s counteroffensive applying sustained pressure, Russian commanders have been forced to redeploy even more units to hold the line.
Despite being outnumbered, Ukrainian forces are proving that numbers alone don’t determine victory. Their effective use of drones, artillery, and tightly coordinated infantry maneuvers allows them to inflict disproportionate losses—turning technological advantages and battlefield experience into a deadly edge.
Russia may still have the manpower, but losses like those in Shevchenko are not easily replaced. Ukraine, meanwhile, must use its available forces judiciously—balancing offensive thrusts with the need to hold fortified lines.
Overall, as the fight for Shevchenko continues, Ukrainian command remains focused on clearing the entire western flank around Pokrovsk. If Ukrainian troops can fully secure Shevchenko, it will mark a major step forward—tactically and for the defense of Pokrovsk as a whole. With control of the high ground, Ukraine would be well-positioned to dominate enemy movements during the muddy spring months, placing Russia’s offensive ambitions at serious risk of becoming bogged down—both literally and strategically.
In our daily frontline report, we pair up with the military blogger Reporting from Ukraine to keep you informed about what is happening on the battlefield in the Russo-Ukrainian war.
