Ukrainian forces have disrupted Russian logistics and vehicle use in Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast, significantly slowing the pace of Russia’s advance in the city, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). ISW believes Russia is likely to take Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, but the timeline and consequences remain uncertain.
Ukraine blocks Russian logistics in Pokrovsk
The ISW reported on 19 November that Ukraine’s interdiction efforts are stopping Russian vehicle use and troop buildup in Pokrovsk, slowing their advance, which is likely "slowing down Russia’s rate of advance within the town." The rate of Russian advances in Pokrovsk began to decrease in early November, following several weeks of relatively faster movement into the town.
A spokesperson for a Ukrainian brigade operating in the Pokrovsk direction said that Ukrainian interdiction of Russian ground lines of communication into the town has forced Russian troops to carry supplies on foot in teams of just two or three. According to a Ukrainian drone battalion commander in the same area, Ukrainian forces have mined the roads repeatedly used by Russia to move heavy equipment into Pokrovsk. He added that Russian forces now rarely use armored vehicles to enter the town.
Russian forces attempt fog-covered supply runs
Russian forces recently tried to bring in supplies and personnel using vehicles under cover of heavy fog from the south, along the M-30 Pokrovsk–Selydove highway, on 10 and 11 November. Russian military bloggers initially celebrated the attempt, but one later noted that the footage showing Russian forces driving into Pokrovsk had actually exposed them to Ukrainian artillery strikes. This undermined Russia’s ability to rely on vehicle-based logistics into the town.
Russian pressure continues on Ukrainian logistics
Russian forces continue their own interdiction efforts targeting Ukrainian supply routes in the Pokrovsk direction. The Ukrainian drone battalion commander noted that Russian troops within Pokrovsk do not maintain solid defensive lines. A 15–20 km “kill zone” near the Pokrovsk frontline complicates logistics due to widespread drone threats. This area is saturated with tactical strike and reconnaissance drones that pose a major threat to any equipment or personnel moving through.
ISW expects Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad to fall
The Institute for the Study of War says it continues to assess that the Russians will "very likely complete the seizure of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, though the timing and operational implications of these seizures remain unclear at this time."
