Ukrainian troops are holding defensive lines near Myrnohrad in Donetsk Oblast and destroying Russian forces attempting to approach the city, according to the Ukrainian military. The military says fighting remains intense, but Ukrainian units continue active defense and offensive actions. Russian assaults have failed to break through Ukrainian positions.
Ukrainian forces hold the line near Myrnohrad
On 23 December, Ukraine's Grouping of Forces "East" reported that Ukrainian units are maintaining defensive positions in the Myrnohrad area. Russian troops continue attempts to advance toward the city, but Ukrainian soldiers reportedly eliminate them on the approaches. The military says Russian forces suffer significant losses during these failed assaults.
Ukrainian units also continue active combat operations across the Pokrovsk–Myrnohrad agglomeration. The command reports that Ukrainian defenders remain engaged and prevent Russian troops from gaining more ground, according to the report.
Pokrovsk defense continues amid urban fighting
The military says Ukrainian forces control the northern part of Pokrovsk. Ukrainian troops conduct search-and-assault operations and eliminate Russian forces inside urban development. The Eastern group of forces says combat inside the city remains ongoing.
On the Pokrovsk axis, Ukrainian defenders stopped 58 Russian assault and offensive actions over the past 24 hours, the military says. Fighting occurred near Myrnohrad, Rodynske, Pokrovsk, Rivne, Kotlyne, Udachne, Molodetske, Pershe Travnia, and Filiia. Russian forces also attempted advances toward Sukhietske, Hryshyne, Novopidhorodne, and Novopavlivka.
According to preliminary data from the "East," Ukrainian troops neutralized 174 Russian occupiers on this axis the previous day. The military says 132 of them were killed.
Ukrainian defenders reportedly destroyed three units of Russian automotive equipment and three units of special equipment. Ukrainian forces also shot down four drones and struck eight enemy personnel shelters. The military reports damage to a Russian tank, two vehicles, and a motorcycle.
ISW on situation around Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad
The Institute for the Study of War reported that geolocated footage published on 22 December indicates that Ukrainian forces recently advanced along the E50 Pokrovsk–Pavlohrad highway northwest of Pokrovsk. The think tank marks most of Myrnohrad and Pokrovsk as a "gray zone" —the no man's land without permanent control by either side.
ISW also reported that Russian forces carried out attacks on 21 and 22 December near Pokrovsk itself and in the entire area.
DeepState previously reported Myrnohrad as contested
On 20 December, DeepState OSINT analysts marked Myrnohrad as the gray zone, meaning control over the city required clarification. The Eastern group of forces later stated that Ukrainian troops were holding defensive lines and eliminating Russian forces on the approaches to the city.
Earlier, Grouping of Forces "East" reported that Ukrainian commanders organized additional logistics routes to Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad. These routes aim to ensure uninterrupted supply for Ukrainian units and timely evacuation. The military notes that the overall situation in the area remains difficult.
