Next steps on Donetsk’s map after Pokrovsk — first Kostiantynivka, Sloviansk, and Kramatorsk in Moscow’s occupation plan

Russian forces mobilized around 11,000 troops in an attempt to encircle Ukraine's Pokrovsk outskirts, the 7th Rapid Response Corps of the Air Assault Forces reports. The invaders sought to advance northwest and north of the city using infiltrating groups.

Armor, artillery, and hundreds of drones

Within the 7th Corps’ area of responsibility, Russians amassed 27,000 personnel, around 100 tanks, up to 260 armored fighting vehicles, and up to 160 artillery pieces and mortars.

They also actively deployed drones to monitor and control the battlefield.

Fresh number of losses

Ukrainian soldiers eliminated 90 invaders and wounded another 42.

Russian troops lost 1 armored personnel carrier, 3 infantry fighting vehicles, 3 vehicles, 1 motorcycle, and 158 drones of various types. Directly in Pokrovsk, Ukrainian troops destroyed 18 Russian combatants. 

Path to the next Ukrainian region

Ukrainian military expert Ivan Stupak explains that if Pokrovsk falls, Russian forces would have a direct path to Mezhova in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

However, according to Stupak, losing Pokrovsk would not critically weaken Donetsk’s defense. Ukrainian forces successfully slowed the Russian offensive for 13 months, gaining vital time for Ukraine and European defense, Telegraf reports. 

“For 13 months, Russia circled Pokrovsk. What they lost most of all wasn’t personnel — they lost time. Only after sending reinforcements from Sumy Oblast did any progress appear,” Stupak said.

Stupak predicts Russia will next press toward Kostiantynivka, then Kramatorsk and Sloviansk — the agglomeration whose capture would signal control over all of Donetsk Oblast.

“Without Pokrovsk, they can’t reach Kramatorsk. First Pokrovsk, then Kostiantynivka, only then Sloviansk and Kramatorsk,” he concluded.